Integral Ecology:
A Sacramental Vision
The Indiana Bishops’ pastoral letter on the social and ecological challenges of our time.
Media Coverage of Integral Ecology: A Sacramental Vision
“The concept of integral ecology helps us see more clearly how human life and the natural world are deeply interconnected. Here in Indiana, we delight in the beauty of creation—from our Great Lake and winding rivers to forests, prairies, wetlands, and farmland. As people at home in this land and pilgrims journeying toward our true home in heaven, we are called to receive creation as a gift and to care for it with gratitude and hope.”
“The pastoral letter grounds ecological considerations in the Eucharistic life of the Church, echoing Pope Francis in his milestone encyclical Laudato si’, “It is in the Eucharist that all that has been created finds its greatest exaltation. Grace, which tends to manifest itself tangibly, found unsurpassable expression when God himself became man and gave himself as food for his creatures” (236). The pastoral letter highlights this essential dimension of integral ecology: the interconnection between faith, the human community, and the natural environment. Its attention to the history, landscapes, and social realities of Indiana demonstrates a commendable effort to apply the Church’s teaching within a concrete local context.”
Integral Ecology: A Sacramental Vision invites Catholics and all people of good will to consider a deeper, faith-filled understanding of humanity’s relationship with creation—one that recognizes the world as a gift from God and calls for responsible stewardship grounded in the sacramental life of the Church.
Dive deeper with study guides for group or individual reflection and an interactive map with layers displaying Indiana’s natural regions, watersheds, diocesan boundaries, rivers, and more.
Supplemental Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Integral Ecology: A Sacramental Vision is the fruit of many years of work, culminating in the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. This letter builds on previous pastoral letters from the Bishops of Indiana and is meant to be an enduring contribution to their teaching directed to the Catholic faithful of Indiana and all people of good will.
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While Pope Francis was certainly not the only Pope to speak of environmental degradation and the corresponding impact on human health (both spiritual and physical impact), he amplified the Church’s voice and articulated the concept of integral ecology to help us recover an authentic understanding of dominion and right relationship with all creation.
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Human ecology (poverty) and natural ecology are united in integral ecology. The fulfillment of integral ecology is the Eucharist, which is the human and natural are united with Jesus Christ in his divinity.
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The end of the pastoral letter contains several suggestions for practical action while emphasizing the need for conversion of the heart and the cultivation of a “serene attentiveness” to all of creation.