Christian Spiritual Ecology
"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
St. Francis of Assisi
ExcitingWorks in Progress
Writing for the Healing of Christianity & Transforming the World
When we see the faces of Christianity in the media, they often seem brash, demanding, cruel, and condemning. Was and is that the Way of Jesus?
When we see the division and hatred among people, pollution harming our water, air, health, and wildlife, and climate change, most of us want to shut our eyes and ears, or curl up in a ball, or rage at God and each other. This, too, doesn't see the way of the Almighty or Jesus. What can be done?
Using vibrant and inspiring Scripture, stories, history science, and solutions, Lorbiecki offers in her books a fresh look at what seem intractable problems. She calls Christians back to Scripture and science for wisdom, and uncovers not only the challenge God is giving us, but the spiritual, social, and economic rewards that can come to us personally and communally if we choose to change. It isn't quick or easy, but is spiritual growth ever quick or easy? Yet is there hope and joy...
Healing Christianity
Restoring Jesus's Way,
Transforming Ourselves & Our World
Explore Christianity and Jesus in a new way by going back to see what has been lost and what can be restored.
A Walk in Yahweh's Garden
Meditations on Scriptural Teachings
on the Natural World & Us
Journey through the Bible for a new view of what it is telling us about our role in the Almighty's beautiful world.
Following St. Francis: John Paul II's Call for Ecological Action
Rizzoli Ex Libris, April 1, 2014
ISBN 978-0-8478-4271-1
This dynamic book provides a fresh look on our lives and environmental problems by exploring the relationship between faith, science, society, and spirituality through the teachings of St. Francis as applied to our current issues by St. John Paul II.
Pope Francis, too, has his say in this work filled with vibrant and inspiring quotations, stories, and practical approaches to the ecological crises of today. You’ll never look at the environment, the fate of the earth, or Pope John Paul II the same way again.
Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and many other titles, and founder of 350.org, provides the book’s introduction.
Yes! In St. Francis: John Paul II's Call for Ecological Action (Rizzoli Ex Libris, 2014) Lorbiecki specifically highlights the teachings of Scripture and St. John Paul II and Pope Francis (with a little of Pope Benedict in between), with the science and stories to support the wisdom of the teachings. The book won acclaim from the Catholic press and gratitude from Catholic leaders. Pope Benedict XVI and the presidents of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace wrote her personal thank yous for this book. The book was used to helped in the writing of two of Pope Francis's encyclicals -- Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti -- and helped the Vatican form its positions on climate change and environmental crises for United Nations.
Today's Catholic noted it "is a dynamic book written in easy, interesting narrative that offers a fresh look at environmental problems by investigating the ecological teachings of St. John Paul."
U. S. Catholic wrote: "Lorbiecki observes that for John Paul, care of God’s creation is a moral imperative fundamentally rooted in Catholic teaching and connected with the church’s other social concerns. He attributes environmental degradation to many ills like consumerism, unbridled capitalism, unsustainable investment practices, overpopulation, and corporate greed. Lorbiecki illustrates how John Paul calls all people to deeper care of creation through conversion, temperance, solidarity, and promotion of the common good. Using the pope’s treatment of 12 pressing ecological challenges, she notes how he explicitly accepts the reality of humanity’s impact on climate change and endorses renewable energy technologies. … the book will undoubtedly benefit popular and scholarly audiences alike." —Dan DiLeo
Rabbi Warren Stone said the book is " "Engaging . . . .Some of the world's poorest people are currently on the front lines of climate change. Marybeth Lorbiecki makes us aware that Pope John Paul II and our new Vatican leadership views this threat as a great moral and spiritual issue of our day impacting all of God's creation." — Stone is Co Chair of the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care
"What an amazing book. ... John Paul II was truly ahead of his time. The book is brilliantly written, thought provoking, well researched and a treasure trove of information ... For Catholics and non-Catholics alike, this is a great read. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!" —W.J. Schneider "I am thoroughly enjoying this book—I am not religious, yet so much of it resonates with me as a human being, struggling each day as we all do, to do our best for our family, our community and our world. I particularly enjoyed the Addresses in the back (to Young Muslims, To Aborigines…)." —Linda M. Larson
Christian Care of
Earthly Creation
What is the call of faith in these times of climate change and ecological woes? Are these fabricated or real concerns that God wants addressed? How can we know? What do we do? Are their spiritual opportunities for growth?
Is God an Environmentalist?
What does faith have to tell us in a world filled with natural wonders, yet wracked by climate change concerns and ecological crises?
Dynamic speaker Marybeth Lorbiecki dives deep into this sea of questions and longings, exploring the common principles of care for creation and the poor that bind most major faiths and spiritual traditions of the world, with a special focus on Judea-Christian and Catholic teachings.
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How the Christian Faith Calls Believers to Care for God's Creation--he has studied the Bible in this regard and can help audiences see how their faith fits in with ecological challenges and opportunities facing them and the world as a whole, particularly showing the effects of environmental damage on the poor and marginalized.
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How Laudato Si Can Transform Us , the Church, and the World -Having Following St. Francis: John Paul II's Call for Ecological Actions and worked with the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace, she can particularly talk about Pope Francis' encyclical: Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.
