Professor Brad Gregory, from the Catholic University of Notre Dame in Indiana, acknowledges the significant impact of Pope Leo XIV’s appointment, especially in the United States. As an American himself, he sees hope in Pope Leo XIV’s potential positive influence on a world grappling with various challenges.
He contrasts the Pope’s values with those of prominent figures like Steve Bannon and JD Vance, highlighting the importance of a moral narrative in the face of political and religious extremism.
Professor Gregory is critical of Vance’s interpretation of ordo amoris, emphasizing the importance of Christian ethics in guiding social and political decisions.
His work, spanning from the Reformation era to the present, focuses on understanding historical events’ lasting impacts on contemporary society. His latest project delves into the relationship between Christianity, consumption, and climate change, exploring the roots of the Anthropocene era in Western history.
He draws parallels between the Reformation’s unintended consequences and the current climate crisis, pointing to a shift towards consumerism and exploitation of natural resources.
Professor Gregory highlights the role of Christianity in promoting social justice and environmental stewardship, referencing Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si as a call to address issues of consumerism and inequality.
His lectures at the Thomas Burns Memorial Lectures series focus on Jesus of Nazareth’s teachings on wealth, acquisitiveness, and self-denial as a response to societal injustices and environmental concerns.
The Burns Lectures 2025 — Christians, Consumption, and Climate Change: Christianity between the Last Ice Age and the Anthropocene — continue this week at Archway 4 lecture theatre, starting at 5.15pm.
• Tuesday, May 27. Subverting the Way of the World: The Oblique Radicalism of Jesus of Nazareth
• Wednesday, May 28. Accommodating the Way of the World: Making Room for Mammon, Making Peace with Rome
• Thursday, May 29. Extending the Way of the World: Western Christianity from Constantine to the Anthropocene
