European Journal of Behavioral Sciences
ISSN 2538-807X
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Corresponding author E-mail address: angelito.waje@gmail.com
Cite this article as:
Waje, A. O. (2023). Talasínup: Exploring the Environmental Consciousness and Christian Environmentalism of Youth Ministers in Mabalacat
City in Light of Laudato Si' for Post-COVID-19 Environmental Stewardship. European Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 6(4): 27-45.
https://doi.org/10.33422/ejbs.v6i4.1102
© The Author(s). 2023 Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and redistribution in any medium, provided that the original author(s) and source are credited.
Talasínup: Exploring the Environmental Consciousness and
Christian Environmentalism of Youth Ministers in Mabalacat City
in Light of Laudato Si' for Post-COVID-19 Environmental
Stewardship
Angelito Ortiz Waje
Diploma in Social Studies Education Student, University of the Philippines Open University, Los Baños
Laguna, Philippines
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
Keywords:
common home,
Laudato Si’,
parish youth ministers,
stewardship,
theocentric perspective
This research investigates the influence of Pope Francis' encyclical
Laudato Si on the attitudes and behaviors of Catholics regarding
environmental stewardship in a post-COVID-19 context. The study
employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to
comprehensively understand the impact of the encyclical and
identify potential areas for future action and research in this critical
field. The primary data collection involved a survey administered
to 144 Catholic Youth Ministers in Mabalacat City, Pampanga. The
survey included the Environmental Consciousness Scale and
Christian Environmental Scale. Preliminary results indicate that
Laudato Si has had a significant impact on Catholic perspectives
and behaviors related to climate change and sustainability. The
analysis of open-ended responses in the study provided valuable
insights into the concerns and aspirations of the youth ministers.
While personal aspects of life were the primary concerns for the
youth, the youth ministers expressed deep concern about local
pollution and the urban expansion on natural landscapes. They
emphasized the importance of taking practical action to address
these environmental issues and recognized the role of individual
behaviors and societal structures in tackling these challenges. This
research highlights the influential role of the Catholic Church in
promoting environmental stewardship and the transformative
power of religious teachings in elevating climate change concerns.
The findings contribute to a better understanding of the influence of
religious teachings on environmental attitudes and behaviors
among Catholics. Furthermore, the insights generated in this study
can inform policymakers, educators, and organizations seeking to
promote environmental awareness and action among Catholic
youth.