As we enter the season of Creation this September, my thoughts linger on the fact that we are still very urgently in need of what is termed by those working faithfully on the ecological crisis as ecological conversion. 

Ecological conversion refers to an individual and communal process through which we, as persons of faith, attune our hearts and minds towards a greater love of God, each other and Creation (cf Laudato Si’). The concept is most often attributed to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ but has been present within ecotheological writing for several years now. A key aspect of ecological conversion is working towards righting the relationships we have with God, with our neighbour and Creation. As John Paul II once asked, how do we become “more sensitive” to the ecological crisis? To this, people like Sally McFague, Ivone Gebara and Pope Francis would also ask, what are we actively doing to lessen this crisis? 

This is not only conversion at the individual level, but conversion that involves the whole community. In doing this we are motivated by the love that we have for Creator, for the world around us and for each other. This is a radical, outpouring of love that goes beyond nuclear family and just our own community. As Pope Francis stated in Laudato Si, “Social problems must be addressed by community networks and not simply by the sum of individual good deeds… The ecological conversion needed to bring about lasting change is also a community conversion” (LS 219). 

As part of doing this, many suggest that what we need to cultivate is a new kind of awareness. This awareness includes recognising the ways in which humanity has harmed and continues to harm Creation. Acknowledging this wrong includes repentance, and also finding ways to heal these wounds. A final part includes becoming re-enchanted with Creation. In this series of reflections, I will discuss what it can mean to become re-enchanted, and some personal moments in my own journey of re-enchantment.