Ecological responsibility of Benedictine monasteries: a study of three cases (Plankstetten, Andechs and Gut Aich)

Bernard Sawicki

doi:10.15633/ps.2168

Ecological responsibility of Benedictine monasteries: a study of three cases (Plankstetten, Andechs and Gut Aich)

Authors

Bernard Sawicki Pontificio Ateneo Sant’Anselmo, Roma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/ps.2168

Keywords:

Benedictines, ecology, economy, energy, spirituality

Abstract

This paper presents the practical contribution of three Benedictine monasteries to an integrated ecology, strongly recommended in pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’. Based mainly on the materials inserted on the websites of these monasteries, a particular and important connection is observed between modern, ecological solutions and pastoral activities. Everything arises from the balanced Benedictine spirituality, where liturgy and communal life are integrated through personal prayer and reading of the Bible. After considering the motivations presented by these three monasteries for their ecological accomplishments, the specific domains are examined, such as self-sufficiency, energy and gardens.

Author Biography

Bernard Sawicki, Pontificio Ateneo Sant’Anselmo, Roma

Bernard Sawicki OSB, monk of Tyniec Abbey (Cracow, Poland), musician and theologian, presently coordinator of and lecturer at the Monastic Institute at the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

References

Ecologia e liturgia, ed. A. N.Terrin, Padova 2003.

Green Monasticism, A Buddhist-Catholic Response to an Environmental Calamity, eds. D. W. Mitchell, W. Skudlarek OSB, New York 2010.

http://andechs.de/de (30.12.2016).

http://www.klosterheilkunde.com/index.php (30.12.2016).

http://www.kloster-plankstetten.de/html/okologie.html (30.12.2016).

https://www.europakloster.com/garten-forst/ (30.12.2016).

https://www.oekolandbau.de/verbraucher/demonstrationsbetriebe/demobetriebe-im-portraet/bayern/klostergut-plankstetten/ (30.12.2016).

Mallarach J. M., Corcó J., Papayannis T., Christian monastic communities living in harmony with environment: a noverview od positive trends and best practices, “Studia Monastica” vol. 56 (2014) fasc. 2, p. 353–391.

Pannikar R., Blessed Simplicity. The Monk as Universal Archetype, The Seabury Press, New York 1982

Sawicki B., Una glossa monastica alla lettera enciclica „Laudato si’” del papa Francesco, “Studia Monastica” 57 (2015) 2, p. 423-434.

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Published

2017-10-01

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2017): Monastic Life

Section

Thematic articles

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