Papers by Dennis Patrick O'Hara
The Society of Theology and Thought
Accepting creation as a book of revelation along with scripture, the article examines the Magiste... more Accepting creation as a book of revelation along with scripture, the article examines the Magisterial teaching of creatio ex nihilo through an ecotheological lens. It reviews both the specific content of that teaching and its his-torical context before considering the correlations and disagreements between a cosmology of cosmogenesis and the teaching of creatio ex nihilo. After a close examination of the scriptural support for the teaching, the article returns to creation as a book of revelation to provide an ecotheological reflection on the teaching, suggesting how it might be updated given the passage of time and the advancement of our knowledge since its formulation.
Ecozon@: European Journal of Literature, Culture and Environment, 2011
Since John Paul II’s 1990 World Day of Peace Message on the ecological crisis, green themes have ... more Since John Paul II’s 1990 World Day of Peace Message on the ecological crisis, green themes have been a recurring feature of the Vatican’s public teachings. Working with a selection of Catholic Social Teaching documents, this article explores the Vatican’s reactions to and accommodations of ecospirituality. A critical lens informed by ecotheological ethics is employed to analyse the Vatican’s specific brand of ecospirituality, particularly as it relates to its condemnation of biocentrism, while also acknowledging official efforts to green the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrine and faith-based practices. With the advantage of the critical distance that a North American perspective provides, this article suggests ways that the Vatican can foster a more integral and substantively peaceful greening of Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic spirituality by drawing on resources from within Catholic intellectual tradition, as well as other expressions of ecospirituality, ecotheology, and Cat...
New Theology Review, 2013
Working from a peace studies perspective, this article develops a normative framing of climate ju... more Working from a peace studies perspective, this article develops a normative framing of climate justice, which subsequently points to duties to prevent and mitigate both socio-economic and ecological inequalities arising from anthropogenic climate change. This climate justice lens is then employed to survey select responses to climate change from within the Roman Catholic tradition – viz., brief references to some of the intellectual and practical initiatives of the laity and religious brothers and sisters, as well as Catholic Social Teaching on green issues, and the support of and resistance to these initiatives from within the tradition. Building on the tensions and promises brought into focus by this analysis, we end with a discussion of the promise of an emerging integrated Catholic methodology of responsible action to effectively respond to multi-layered social injustice and ecological degradation resulting from anthropogenic climate change.
When Thomas Berry commented on the contribution of Teilhard de Chardin to theology, he asserted t... more When Thomas Berry commented on the contribution of Teilhard de Chardin to theology, he asserted that “Teilhard … (1881-1955) gave expression to the greatest transformation in Christian thought since the time of St. Paul”1. Berry argued that Teilhard “was the first person to describe the universe as having, from the beginning, a psychic-spiritual dimension as well as a physical-material dimension”. Closely associated with this claim is another achievement of Teilhard – a repositioning of the human within the epic of evolution – that is, that humanity is derived from billions of years of cosmic evolution. If we awaken to this new cosmological perspective, we can tell the evolutionary story of both the physical-material as well as the psychic-spiritual dimension of creation, and how humanity, in all its dimensions, is inextricably linked to that story. Furthermore, with both Teilhard and Thomas Berry, we reawaken to the creative dimension of Christ, the Logos, who has been part of creation from its inception4. This can radically alter our understanding of the spiritual dimension of humanity and the sacredness of creation. The theological support for this new cosmological understanding of spirituality and Divine presence can inform an effective response to two of the main causes of our current ecological crisis – that humans perceive themselves as isolable from the rest of the Earth community, and that humans have lost an appreciation for the sacredness of creation. This paper will present certain biblical, Christological, pneumatological, and eco-theological support for Teilhard’s and Berry’s assertions, and demonstrate how adding a creation-centred understanding of Christian spirituality reintegrates theological anthropology into the universe story and reawakens us to the sacred dimension of God’s good Earth.
Spirituality and Health International, 2005
Book reviews described. The promise of souls, of professional souls, to be rediscovered is hinted... more Book reviews described. The promise of souls, of professional souls, to be rediscovered is hinted at.
Ethics and the Environment, 2011
Annan stresses that climate change is "the greatest emerging humanitarian challenge of our times"... more Annan stresses that climate change is "the greatest emerging humanitarian challenge of our times" (Global Humanitarian Forum 2009, 2). The report estimates that over 300,000 lives are lost each year due to climate change, with the annual death toll estimated to reach 500,000 by 2030, and that "climate change today seriously impacts on the lives of 325 million people" (Global Humanitarian Forum 2009, 9, 11, 13). Due to indirect effects, climate change not only threatens each person's fundamental and inalienable "right to life, liberty, and personal security" as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations 1948, Article 3), it is already responsible for considerable death and enormous hardship. The factors that cause climate change, and the efforts to both mitigate and adapt to it, raise ethical issues that require ethical responses. Four principles central to a discussion of an ethical response to climate change are:
Medical Clinics of North America, 2002
While most people will turn to prayer during serious illness or impending death, our healthcare s... more While most people will turn to prayer during serious illness or impending death, our healthcare system has tended to relegate prayer and spirituality to the periphery of medical care, if it is tolerated at all. Despite recent research that seemingly demonstrates a relationship between prayerful practices and health benefits, the integration of spirituality into the practice of medicine remains elusive. The research that purports to demonstrate the link between prayer and health is examined in an exploration of the place prayer and spirituality might have in the health care system.
Acquisitions et Bibliiraph'ï Services services bibSiraphques The author has granted a nonexclusiv... more Acquisitions et Bibliiraph'ï Services services bibSiraphques The author has granted a nonexclusive licence allowmg the National Lîîrary of Canada to reproduce, loan, distriiute or sen copies of this thesis in microform, paper or electronic formats. The author retains ownership of the copyright in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive permettant à la BibIiothèque nationale du Canada de reproduire, prêter, d&rL%uer ou vendre des copies de cette thèse sous la forme de microfiche/nlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. L'auteur conserve la propriété du droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci ne doivent ê e imprimés ou autrement reproduits sans son autorisation. Demis P d c k O T k a Systematic Theology m e n t University of St Michael's College PhD., 1998 THE IMPLICATIONS OF THOMAS BERRYS COSMOLOGY UPûN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF HUMAN HEALTH A m d i n g to the authors of the new cosmology, the miverse is the product of a continuously evolviag sequence of irreverslible transformations which have produced an increanngly differentiated, complex and interrelated cosmos. Some of these cosmotogists a h contend that the miverse has had a psychic-spirituai dimension fkom its beg meen billion years ago, not just a physical-materid manifestation Thomas Berry subscricbes to this position. He employs this versioo of the new cosmology to address the ecological crisis facing humani@ and to formulate alternatives to two primary causes of that crisis-a beiief that the human is separate fkom the rest of the planetary community and that the non-human world la& a sacred or spiritual dimension This thesis argues that adopting such a cosmological perspective prompts a revision of our understanding of spirituality. It permits a new awareness of holistic health which integrattes us into cosmogenic processes. Furthemore, it infonns a perception of the spirinial dimension of human health which recognizes the co~l~equences of living i n a univene enabled and guided by divine immanence. Accordingly, it ultimately addresses issues of the ecological crisis and the relationship between human and ecosystem health, and considers how our mderstsnding of suffering and death might evolve when contextualized within a miverse defined by wsmogenesis. Whde writmg this dissertation, 1 have not only drawn upon many yean of theological studies, but also twice as many years of clinid practice. Therefore 1 am beholden to many people and several iastmmons. 1 begin by offering my deepesî thanks to Professor Stephen Dunn for agreeing to direct this dissertation and for his assisbnce in all of its stages. I have been a hesitant apprentice to the ideas of Thomas Berry and the new comiology, and Rofessor Durm has paûently endured my often passionate objestions. 1 am gratefitl for his forbearance and gentle direction, for his gooci humour and practical insightsy and for his agreeable Company and the generosity with which he has shared his loiowledge and experience. He has been a wonderful mentor, Professor Elien Leonard has also directeci this dissertation 1 have benefited fiom her willing participation, her clear instruction, and kind demeanor. She bas given k l y of her experience and scholarship, and was the h t person to encourage me to consider doctoral studies. Her unac-g gracioumess made her gentle promptings easy to bar. Professor Roger Hutchinson has gracioudy accepted the tasks ofevaiuating my comprehensive examination and my thesis proposal, and has served as a reader of this dissertation I have appreciated his candor, his coirrtesy, and the integity that he brings to his work. 1 owe a special thanks to Thomas Berry. Not only have his many books and articles stirred my spirit and challengeci my min& but I have been moved by the generosity with which he has shared manuscripts of his current proja. The extent of his unpretentious nature and southem charm is only matched by his considerable scholarsbip and b d t h of knowledge. At the Umversity of St Michaeh CoUege, 1 offér poubicular thanks to Wilma Stoyanoff and Sharon McGhie who have guïdeâ me through the administrative procedures of graduate studies with kintlness and quick wit, more than once remedying my f d u m with "ridministrivia" Professor David Whalen made possible my rather musual theoiogical field placement at the Abbey of Gethsemane, an experience which quietly fbeled much of my stuàïes. The staffat the John M. Keliy hIbfary have been both knowledgeabIe and approachable, providing ready service and accurate advice. The staffof the Holy Cross Centre for EcoIogy and Spirituaiity deserve special mention. Arme Lonergan and Stephen hmn have given k l y of their considefable knowledge and experience, niirtunng with skill and patience n y gradual understanding of ecotheology, ecospirituaiity, and the new wsm010gy. Their hospitality, complirnented by the warm welcome of Linda Nevins and Brother Conrad Fedeqiel, fostered a retreat where my education codd continue and my spirit couid be refkshed 1 would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the considerable contribution of that bioregion, parhcularly the brook Whatever writing skills appear in this dissertation have been resuscitated by the thoughtfid care of Rofessor George Kilcourse of Bellannine College. By engaging me in two Wnting projects and delicately editing my work, George has revived the pleasure that I take in cTafting thoughts and feelings into sentences. 1 am also grateful for the time that he arraflged for me to spend with the good monks at the Abbey of Gethsemane, and 1 extend my h d e l t appreciation to Abbott Timothy Kelly and Father Michael Casagram for their courtesy and hospitality. Considerable support and encouragement bas been provided by many fiends and fellow students, paiicularly, Robert0 Chiotîi, John Oldaher, Maureen O'Connor, and John McLaughiin. I am also indebted to several members of the healùig arts who have either contriiuted to my clinid education or to the support of my well-being, mostD
Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 2004
A variety of integrative healthcare programs and clinics have been initiated both in Canada and t... more A variety of integrative healthcare programs and clinics have been initiated both in Canada and the United States. Many different terms (eg, integrative medicine, integrated medicine, multidisciplinary care, integrative health care) are used to describe these initiatives. The diversity of terminology and absence of a shared conceptual framework makes it difficult to assess when integration is actually happening. The objective of this paper was to explore current efforts to conceptualize integrative healthcare and to identify its components. A qualitative content analysis of articles identified in an extensive literature review resulted in the identification of four key components of integrative care: philosophy/values, structure, process and outcomes. These were used to guide the development of a definition of integrative healthcare that should be seen as an "ideal type" or goal toward which practitioners and health systems could strive.
Journal for Peace and Justice Studies, 2012
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of St. Michael's College, 1998. Includes bibliographical references.
Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 2006
Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 2005
Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 2005
When Thomas Berry commented on the contribution of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin to theology, he ass... more When Thomas Berry commented on the contribution of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin to theology, he asserted that “Teilhard . . . (1881–1955) gave expression to the greatest transformation in Christian thought since the time of St. Paul.” Berry argued that Teilhard, using the newly discovered epic of evolution as cosmological context, “was the first person to describe the universe as having, from the beginning, a psychic-spiritual dimension as well as a physical-material dimension.” Closely associated with this claim are two more of Teilhard’s purported achievements: a positioning of the human within that epic story—that is, that humanity is derived from billions of years of cosmic evolution—and the recognition that the universe story is a sacred story—that is, that we live with a sacred milieu. Although Teilhard’s insights provided a context for Berry’s critical analysis of our understanding of ourselves and our relationship with everything else, many other sources also informed the latter’s reflection on the task of reinventing the human. This chapter will begin with a brief consideration of the notion that the universe has a psychic-spiritual dimension and is inherently sacred. Then it will review three authors from three major religious traditions who have informed Berry’s understanding that this sacred universe has always had a “psychic spiritual dimension as well as a physical-material dimension”—viz., the Neo-Confucian, Zhou Dunyi; the Hindu, Śri Aurobindo Ghose; and the Christian, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. While the sources of Berry’s prodigious grasp of world religions are certainly not limited to the works of theses authors, and while their influence on his thought extends beyond the topic of this chapter, a selective overview of their works will suggest links to Berry’s own perceptions. Finally, this chapter will describe Berry’s understanding of the notion that the universe has had from the beginning, a psychic-spiritual dimension as well as a physical-material dimension.
Elizabeth Johnson maintains that the ecologically negative effects of the Enlightenment’s turning... more Elizabeth Johnson maintains that the ecologically negative effects of the Enlightenment’s turning to the self and the post-Reformation style of reflection on God, which together mark much of contemporary Christian thought, have not been sufficiently revised in light of an emerging and more holistic realisation of the biocentric realities of the web of life. Analysing contemporary ecclesiastical teachings and spiritual practices through a biocentric lens can help discern the presence of certain theological and ethical perspectives, which if put into practice, could either damage or strengthen the prospects for true sustainable peace in this world. Given the sociopolitical influence and ecological impact of the over 1 billion Catholics who populate this world, the absence of a biocentric focus to inform human behaviour can legitimately be viewed as problematic. One area of promise and tension in this regard can be found in the teaching office of the Roman Catholic Church.
This article begins by unfolding Thomas Berry's notion of Pax Gaia, using the concept as a key to... more This article begins by unfolding Thomas Berry's notion of Pax Gaia, using the concept as a key to unlock cogent aspects of his geobiological thought. Then, suggesting an addition to John Howard Yoder's typologies, the authors argue that Berry's vision of the peace of the Earth can be categorized as a "the pacifism of religious cosmology." Berry's cosmology of peace is then grounded with reference to concrete issues of ecojustice, with a particular focus on the interrelated concepts of "biocide" and "geocide." The article ends by highlighting the need for reinvention of the human, which emerges from the moral imperatives associated with the pacifism of religious cosmology.
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Papers by Dennis Patrick O'Hara