The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD) and Studium Theologicum Salesianum– the Salesian Pontifical University Jerusalem Campus conducted the first-ever essay contest for Catholic seminarians to reveal the depth of Catholic teachings on renewable energy.
The essay prompt was: What is the basis in Catholic teachings for renewable energy use?
The essays combined personal experience or reflections and citation of sources in Catholic teaching in relation to renewable energy.
Congratulations to our winners!
In first place, Umeh Benneth Chidiebere from Saints Peter And Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria! His essay is a strong combination of personal narrative and insights into Catholic teachings. We are proud to share his winning essay here.
In second place, Agoabin Javis Zinkeng from St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Cameroon! We are proud to share his winning essay here.
In third place, Dilip Gnanaprakash from Kristu Jyoti College, India! We are proud to share his winning essay here.
We offer our congratulations and thanks to all of the contestants for their hard work and inspiring essays.
Why Faith & Renewable Energy?
Globally, over one billion people live without electricity. 80% of them are concentrated in just 20 countries and about 650 million people in Africa lack access to electricity. In paragraph 172 of Laudato Si, Pope Francis talks about taking advantage of abundant solar energy which will require the establishment of mechanisms and subsidies which allow developing countries access to technology transfer, technical assistance and financial resources. Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Renewable energy production can significantly reduce reliance on the most polluting fuels and gathered wood. Catholic institutions have the potential to educate on and actively help deploy solar and wind fields to bring electricity to their members, reduce indoor air pollution and deforestation, and curb climate change. This contest serves as a platform and vehicle for sharing Catholic perspectives on renewable energy.
The following schools were represented in the contest:
1) St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary, Ggaba, Uganda – 18 students
2) St. Thomas Aquinas’ Major Seminary, Bambui, Cameroon – 14 students
3) Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Nigeria – 13 students
4) Seminary Of All Saints, Uhiele Ekpoma Edo State, Nigeria – 10 students
5) Seat Of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, Nigeria – 9 students
6) Claretian Institute Of Philosophy, Maryland Nekede, Imo State, Nigeria – 7 students
7) The National Missionary Seminary Of St Paul, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria – 6 students
8) Holy Spirit Seminary, Papua New Guinea – 3 students
9) Salesian Pontifical University, Jerusalem – 3 students
10) Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria – 2 students
11) Saint Albert The Great Major Seminary, Idowu-Offoran, Abeokuta, Nigeria – 2 students
12) St Peters Major Seminary, Malawi – 2 students
13) Catholic Theological Institute, Papua New Guinea – 2 students
14) Morning Star College Claret Nivas, India – 1 student
15) Kristu Jyoti College, India – 1 student
16) Inter-Congregational Institute Of Philosophy, Human Sciences And Religious Studies, Malawi – 1 student
17) St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, Singapore – 1 student
18) Ss. John Fisher & Thomas More National Seminary, Zimbabwe – 1 student
19) Chishawasha National Seminary, Zimbabawe – 1 student
20) Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, USA – 1 student
21) Moreau Seminary, Congregation Of Holy Cross, USA – 1 student
22) Boston College School Of Theology And Ministry, USA – 1 student
SUBMISSION: The submission deadline of May 31, 2018 has now passed. By submitting the essay, authors give their consent to ICSD to publish sections of both winning and non-winning essays on the ICSD website and partner sites.
ELIGIBILITY: All participants must be Catholic seminarians.
LANGUAGE: All essays must be submitted in English.
LENGTH: The essay can up be to three pages long excluding references.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: May 31st, 2018. We are now closed to submissions, having received over 100 essays from seminarians around the world.
AWARDS: The top three winners received monetary awards.
JUDGES: The essay contest was judged by an international panel of Catholic professors, and was comprised of:
- Fr. Matt Coutinou, SDB, Professor of Moral Theology, Studium Theologicum Salesianum– the Salesian Pontifical University Jerusalem Campus
- Fr. Russ Mcdougall, CSC, Rector of Tantur Ecumenical Institute, Jerusalem
- Dr. Celia Deane-Drummond, Director of the Center for Theology, Science, and Human Flourishing and Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame, Indiana
- Fr. Prem Xalxo, SJ, Associate Professor, Faculty of Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome
- Br. Paul Colemon, Librarian, Capuchin Friary, Jerusalem
Learn more about our engagements with renewable energy in Africa & the education of faith leaders on environment & ecology.