Member-only story

Thomas Berry: A Visionary Ecologist and Mystic

Chuck Mitchell

·19.4k Followers· Follow

Published in Thomas Berry: A Biography Mary Evelyn Tucker

4 min read · 1 week before

258 View Claps

27 Respond

Save

Listen

Thomas Berry: A Biography

by Mary Evelyn Tucker

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2566 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	362 pages

Thomas Berry was a pioneering ecologist, philosopher, and mystic who dedicated his life to promoting a holistic understanding of the Earth's interconnectedness. He argued that the ecological crisis we face today is not simply a scientific or technological problem, but a spiritual and cultural crisis as well. To address this crisis, Berry called for a new "ecological age" in which humans would live in harmony with the Earth and with one another.

Berry was born in 1914 in Greensboro, North Carolina. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and attended the University of North Carolina, where he studied English and philosophy. After graduating from college, Berry entered the Dominican Free Download, where he was ordained a priest in 1942. He continued his studies at the Catholic University of America, where he earned a doctorate in medieval history.

In the early 1950s, Berry began to develop an interest in ecology. He was particularly influenced by the work of Aldo Leopold, a pioneer in the field of wildlife conservation. Berry argued that Leopold's concept of the "land ethic" needed to be expanded to include a broader understanding of the Earth's interconnectedness.

In 1962, Berry published his first book, The Dream of the Earth. In this book, Berry argued that the ecological crisis is a symptom of a deeper spiritual crisis. He wrote that humans have become alienated from the Earth and from their own true nature. This alienation, he argued, is the root cause of the ecological problems we face today.

Berry's work was controversial at the time, but it has since become increasingly influential. He has been a major figure in the development of the environmental movement, and his writings have helped to shape the way we think about the relationship between humans and the natural world.

In 1978, Berry co-founded the Earth Charter Initiative, a global movement to promote the adoption of an Earth Charter that would articulate the fundamental principles of ecological sustainability and social justice. The Earth Charter was adopted by the United Nations in 2000, and it has since been endorsed by over 100 countries and organizations.

Berry's work has also had a significant impact on the Catholic Church. In 1988, he was invited to give a lecture at the Vatican, where he spoke about the ecological crisis and the need for a new ecological worldview. His lecture was well-received by Pope John Paul II, who later issued a papal encyclical on ecology that incorporated many of Berry's ideas.

Thomas Berry died in 2009 at the age of 95. He left behind a legacy of work that continues to inspire and challenge people around the world. He was a visionary ecologist and mystic who dedicated his life to promoting a holistic understanding of the Earth's interconnectedness. His work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the ecological crisis we face today and to work towards a more sustainable and just future.