Panel: INTERRELIGIOUS APPROACHES TO ECO-JUSTICE AND "WCC" PROPHETIC CALL: SHARED RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND INEQUALITIES.



214_2.6 - BLUE THEOLOGY

AUTHORS:
Locorotondo L. (PUL ~ Roma ~ Italy)
Text:
Blue Theology places the sea at the center of spiritual reflection, ethical responsibility, and ecological awareness. Moving beyond traditional land-based metaphors and doctrines, it reorients theological inquiry toward the ocean as a primary locus of divine presence, revelation, and interconnected life. The sea, in this perspective, is not merely a symbolic backdrop in sacred narratives but a living, dynamic space that embodies mystery, creation, and transformation. Drawing from scriptural motifs, maritime cultures, and contemporary environmental concerns, Blue Theology explores themes such as fluidity, depth, vulnerability, and interdependence. It challenges anthropocentric paradigms by emphasizing humanity's embeddedness within marine ecosystems and calls for a renewed sense of stewardship toward oceanic environments. In the context of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, Blue Theology develops an ethical vision that integrates spiritual reverence with ecological action. In addition to its ecological and spiritual dimensions, Blue Theology highlights the social significance of the sea as a space of encounter and relationality. The ocean has historically connected peoples, cultures, and civilizations, serving as a threshold where differences meet and identities are reshaped. In this sense, the sea becomes a symbol and lived reality of a shared humanity, where boundaries dissolve and the human family is rediscovered as one. Blue Theology therefore promotes a vision of solidarity, hospitality, and mutual recognition, inviting communities to see the sea not as a barrier but as a common ground for dialogue and unity. Ultimately, Blue Theology calls for a reimagining of the relationship between the divine, humanity, and the natural world, proposing the ocean as both a theological source and a moral horizon. It offers a contemplative and activist pathway that responds to the urgent need for sustainable and inclusive coexistence with the planet's waters.