The Jubilee Year 2025 marked several momentous ecological anniversaries: the eighth centenary of the Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis of Assisi (1224), the 40th anniversary of the first interreligious meeting on nature conservation in Assisi (1986), and the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015). Desiring to share this common cause, the Pontifical Biblical Institute of the Pontifical Gregorian University—together with the NExUS initiative (Nurturing Exegetical Understanding of Scripture)—is organizing a conference dedicated to “Bible and Ecology” over the three days of November 6, 7, and 8, 2025.
Inspired by the biblical testimony of a God who listens to the cry of the poor and exploited—as in the Books of Exodus and Amos—the conference has a twofold objective. On the one hand, it seeks to bring the “existential margins” to the center of its reflection, bringing together academic voices from less privileged yet ecologically impacted contexts. On the other, it seeks to explore the possibility of developing an ecological biblical hermeneutics, in dialogue with other exegetical methods and approaches.
In this effort to listen, engage, and learn from each other, the conference will strive to promote an eco-biblical vision that reaffirms how, although ecologically wounded, we can still dare to join with peripheral voices to promote the healing vision of a new heaven and a new earth (cf. the Books of Ezekiel and Revelation).
- The full programme of the international conference
- The event will be in person and in English.
- It can also be followed on the Youtube channel @pibiblico
List of the speakers
Gina Hens-Piazza, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, USA
Peter Dubovský, Pontifical Biblical Institute of Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Michael K. Mensah, University of Ghana, Ghana
Jonathan Kavusa, Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs, D.R. Congo
Hilary Marlow, Cambridge University, UK
Charlotte Obeid, Collegium Maximum of Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Dominic S. Irudayaraj, Pontifical Biblical Institute of Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Nuria Calduch-Benages, Collegium Maximum of Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Paul Béré, Pontifical Biblical Institute of Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Mary Maricel Ibita, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines
Mary Marilou S. Ibita, De La Salle University, Philippines
Anne Elvey, Monash University, Australia
Lorenzo Gasparro, Pontificia Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Meridionale, Italy
Michel S. Kamanzi, Pontifical Biblical Institute of Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Jens Schröter, Humboldt-Universität, Germany
Ekaterini Tsalampouni, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Accreditation Procedure
Journalists and media operators who wish to participate must apply, no less than 24 hours before the event, through the Holy See Press Office online accreditation System available at press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.
For interviews and technical information on the event, please contact: press@unigre.it