In the week that marks nine years since the publication of Pope Francis‘ encyclical Laudato Si’, the UCP presented the PHD in Integral Ecology, emphasising that ‘fragmented knowledge is no good today.’

At the presentation session for the new PhD,  Alexandre Palma, Director of the Centre for Research in Theology and Studies of Religion (CITER) at Católica, stressed that ‘if the university wants to be a cathedral of intelligence, it cannot give in to fragmentation.’

 ‘(...) Fragmentation degenerates it into a workshop of ignorance,’ said Alexandre Palma, adding that ‘a broad vision of ecology, supported by the realisation that everything is interconnected, demands an integration of knowledge’.

Earlier, the Director of CITER had challenged those present to identify the authors of two quotes. Unsurprisingly, the second quote was recognised by everyone almost immediately, while the first proved to be more of a challenge. The Director of CITER used a phrase from Pope Francis' encyclical that inspired the new Doctorate, while the first phrase was taken from Octogesima Adveniens, signed on 14 May 1971 by Pope Paul VI.

In common, Pope Paul VI and Pope Francis expressed concern for ecology. ‘The social magisterium has opened up the Church to the challenges of contemporaneity,’ said Father Alexandre Palma, emphasising that from the economy to culture, politics and religion, ‘everything is a relationship’.

And it is precisely with this awareness that everything is a relationship that UCP presented the new Doctorate, the fruit of several years' preparation work, which involved multidisciplinary teams from Católica from the outset.

With an interdisciplinary programme, the classes will start next academic year and will include lecturers from various university units, with the aim of providing appropriate ethical responses to global challenges.

The six Catholic schools and faculties involved in the PhD have set up three working groups over the last two years, coordinated by Vice-Rector Margarida Mano. At the presentation session, the Vice-Rector expressed her ‘joy at the launch of a PhD unlike anything else’ and emphasised that ‘strong institutions are needed to help provide answers’ to the challenges ahead.

Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Peter Hanenberg, the PhD's coordinator, presented the programme's curriculum. Starting on 12 September this year, classes will be held in person on Fridays from 5pm to 9pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

José Manuel Pereira de Almeida, Vice-Rector of the UCP, noted that the doctorate proposes ‘learning that tends to be transdisciplinary’, with ‘the concern that Pope Francis proposes that everything is interconnected’.

Applications are open until 30 May.

Find out more about the PhD | Apply