Theology News and Accomplishments

Theology and the Earth Initiative Sponsors First Cohort of Student Interns and Researchers

Thanks to the generous support of donors, and inspired by the work of Theology Professor Emerita Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, and her pioneering contributions to ecological theology, Fordham’s Theology Department was thrilled to launch the Theology and the Earth Initiative in 2026. During the summer of 2026, eight Fordham students - both graduate and undergraduate - received funding for internships and research projects exploring the intersections of theology, ecology, environmental justice, and public health.

Three Fordham undergraduates - AnnaMarie Pacione, Michelena DeNaples, and Chloe Kruck - were awarded paid internships with the Bethany Center Hudson Valley, an interfaith contemplative-ecological center in Highland Mills, New York. Working under the supervision of Fordham Theology Ph.D. alumna and Executive Director Dr. Erin Lothes, the students helped envision the future of the Center and published essays on St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the relationship between independence and interdependence in young adulthood, and on the importance of contemplating creation. It was a joy to partner with Dr. Lothes, a national leader in the Laudato Si’ movement, and to see our students engage so thoughtfully with questions of ecology, spirituality, and the common good.

Four additional undergraduate students interned with LSA Family Health Service in East Harlem: Sana Arshad, Khadijah Ahearn, Grace Kenny and Kaila Reynolds. These students worked  with pediatrician Dr. Cappy Collins and youth enrichment coordinator Jadie Vasquez in LSA’s Cada Paso Program, focused on public health and community engagement initiatives, as well as a summer camp program for elementary school-aged children. Fordham Theology has enjoyed a deep partnership with LSA for many years, grounded in shared commitments to faith in action, environmental justice, solidarity with those on the margins, and the conviction that theology is lived in the world. 

Theology and Environmental Science double major Khadijah Ahearn reflected, “My time at LSA was truly and honestly the most rewarding experience I've ever had. LSA's history and dedication to the idea of mutuality reminded me of what I had learned about the Jesuits, and even watching the children interact with their environment made me think of how St. Ignatius saw God in all things.” Fellow 2026 intern Grace Kenny added, “It was so inspiring to watch the kids dream of how they could transform East Harlem into the community they envisioned once their horizons were broadened.”

In addition to the internships, two students pursued independent research projects. Theology major Simone Lane worked with Professor John Seitz on a research project entitled “Mount Taylor, NM: Theological Layering as a Perspective on Indigenous Land Sovereignty” raising questions about sacred land, ecology, and land use in New Mexico. Ph.D. student Caitlin Merritt worked with Dr. Lothes to explore the relationship between landscape and theology, drawing on her background in landscape design and theological studies.

Inspired by Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’ and buoyed by Dr. Elizabeth Johnson’s groundbreaking work in ecological theology, Fordham Theology is deeply grateful to the donors and friends who have made these opportunities possible. Their support has enabled our students to engage pressing questions about the relationship between theology and the environment, recognizing that addressing environmental challenges requires both scientific expertise and the insights of humanistically educated leaders working together to create a more just and sustainable future. We are excited to build on the momentum of this inaugural year and look forward to supporting a new cohort of students in Summer 2027. Applications will open in February, with additional details coming soon!