Climate change is not an abstract concept or media buzzword anymore, but a stark reality threatening our home’s very existence. The SoTS Province comprises 11 countries, and some of them are facing imminent dangers from rising sea levels, ecological degradation, and extreme weather events. Most Marist Brothers and other Marists are either native islanders or have deep connections to these vulnerable territories and bear constant witness to the profound ongoing devastating impacts of climate change on their communities and livelihoods.
In response to this urgent crisis, the Champagnat Marist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality was established in 2023 at Lomeri, Fiji. The establishment of this Centre is a direct outcome of the 2017 General Chapter's emphasis - further reinforced by the 2019 District Chapter recommendations - on eco-friendly activities across provinces to arrest the devastating consequences of climate change.
The Champagnat Marist centre leaders (Br Chris, middle) and Tony (far right), who is a volunteer from Aotearoa-NZ.
Located at the site of the former Novitiate, the Centre aims to serve as a hub for accurate ecological information, presented in a way that allows users to easily apply it to their daily lives. Although still in its early years, it aspires to offer courses rooted in scientific evidence and indigenous wisdom, integrating ecology and spirituality to provide practical, spiritually grounded solutions.
The Star Post spoke to Br Chris Poppelwell who is leading the project in Fiji to gain insights into the how the Centre will operate and the impact it hopes to achieve.
The establishment of this Centre is a direct outcome of the 2017 General Chapter's emphasis on eco-friendly activities across provinces to arrest the devastating consequences of climate change.
An urgent need
"The centre’s primary goal is to educate people about the threat of ecological damage looming over us all and the ways to counter it,” says Br Chris, a passionate environmental advocate.
"We envision the Centre as a source of comprehensive information, particularly focusing on the origins of environmental crises and providing effective strategies to address them. This knowledge is crucial for empowering people to take meaningful action."
The Centre's core activities will encompass a wide range of initiatives, including:
• Conducting research and disseminating information promoting ecological awareness and spiritual growth, gathered from similar local and international sources through various channels.
• Actively collaborating with local indigenous experts, relevant groups, and the Archdiocese to leverage existing knowledge and foster cooperation.
• Developing a comprehensive resource hub offering diverse materials in print, video, and documentary formats.
What sets the Centre apart is its unique blend of local knowledge and international best practices, creating a synergy between traditional wisdom and modern ecological understanding; an approach reflected in its educational offerings.
"We envision the Centre as a source of comprehensive information, particularly focusing on the origins of environmental crises and providing effective strategies to address them."
"We also want people to come here for hands-on courses and retreats that combine ecology and spirituality," Br Chris explains.
Beyond traditional ecological practices
As the Centre continues to evolve, its vision extends far beyond traditional ecological practices. Br Chris outlines several innovative initiatives that showcase the Centre's commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.
"We're looking at freshwater prawn farming on our property," he explains. "It's a high-value product that's relatively simple to manage. The local fisheries department has shown keen interest in supporting this venture." He notes that resorts in Fiji currently import large quantities of prawns, presenting an opportunity for local production. "This could be replicated in villages, providing a valuable source of income for communities."
In collaboration with the Archbishop, the Centre has also begun cultivating a ginger plantation. "We've strategically placed it at the back of the hill to preserve our forest and pathway areas where we want native trees to thrive," Br Chris says.
As the Centre continues to evolve, its vision extends far beyond traditional ecological practices.
Perhaps the most exciting development is the recently inaugurated solar project. The goal is to power the entire facility using solar energy, with 20 large panels installed on various roof sections. However, the team is approaching this transition thoughtfully.
Br Chris Poppelwell signing the agreement about the solar panel.
"The current battery technology, particularly lithium-ion, poses significant environmental challenges," Br Chris explains. He highlights issues ranging from harmful mining practices to fire risks associated with damaged batteries and difficulties in disposing of them post-use.
"Sodium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are showing promise," he adds. "While heavier than lithium-ion, making them less suitable for vehicles, they could be ideal for buildings." The Centre estimates that within four years, they might be ready to implement battery backup for their solar system.
Br Chris also emphasises the urgency of their work, drawing from his experiences in Kiribati and the current situation in Fiji. “My house in Kiribati hadn't been affected by the sea for 25 years. After I left, a few years ago, it's been invaded about three times," he says. He adds, "In Fiji, we have over 60 villages that have to be relocated because sea level rise is wiping them out!"
But what prompted Br Chris to passionately dive deep into the project?
"In Fiji, we have over 60 villages that have to be relocated because sea level rise is wiping them out!"
An early and deep fascination
While posted on a remote island of Tonga – only five kilometres long and two kilometres wide – in the 1980s, long before climate change became a global catchword, Br Chris was already noticing subtle shifts in weather patterns, pushing him into a lifetime of environmental advocacy.
View from Lomeri.
"There, I meticulously observed and documented weather patterns. With my university background in meteorology, I advised the local weather office and wrote educational materials for them,” he explains.
What Br Chris discovered during this time was far from ordinary. "I noticed that a wet season might be extremely wet, or it might have very little rain at all." This observation led him on a quest for answers, reaching out to meteorological offices as far as New York, Moscow, and Melbourne.
His persistence paid off. "I realised I was experiencing in Tonga the absolute opposite of El Niño. It turned out to be what they now call La Niña," he says.
"As early as the 1980s, we were witnessing unpredictable weather patterns and record-breaking temperatures. Soon, terms like 'global warming,' 'climate change,' 'El Niño,' and 'La Niña' became a part of my life. These concepts are commonplace now, but back in 1980, they were barely on anyone's radar, save for a few fringe groups. It's remarkable to see how the discourse on climate change has progressed since then," says Br Chris, who lived for many years in island countries like Kiribati, Aotearoa - New Zealand, Tonga, and Samoa.
"It's remarkable to see how the discourse on climate change has progressed since then."
Combining ecology with spirituality
Many years later, during an Ignatian retreat conducted by the Josephite Sisters in Sydney, Br Chris experienced a profound revelation that would shape the future of his work: ecology and spirituality are inextricably linked.
The Brothers at the Chapel in Lomeri.
"Those two fit together beautifully," Br Chris explains. "If you want to change your lifestyle – which is needed to become environmentally conscious – you won't do so unless you have a reason to want to change. And that depends on what you believe about life, about life after death, and about your responsibility for the environment."
Br Chris experienced a profound revelation that would shape the future of his work: ecology and spirituality are inextricably linked.
This realisation led Br Chris to understand that knowledge alone is often insufficient to motivate individuals to make necessary changes, especially when these changes require sacrificing valued activities. He notes that all people who connect with nature possess some form of spirituality. This spiritual connection, he believes, can serve as a powerful motivator for environmental action.
"Therefore, it's essential that ecological studies incorporate a spiritual component as that would ensure that the acquired knowledge translates into practical actions,” he says.
When the General Chapter of 2017 decided to highlight the connection between ecology and spirituality, Br Chris seized the opportunity to join a team dedicated to enhancing this relationship, resulting in the creation of the Centre.
He notes that all people who connect with nature possess some form of spirituality.
With this decision, Br Chris, who had been a principal and director of Catholic Education in several countries for many years, decided to transition from his role as an educator to an advocate for ecological spirituality.
The Champagnat Marist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality hopes to embody the SoTS family members’ conviction that the path to environmental sustainability involves not just education and technological solutions, but also fostering a deeper, more spiritual connection with our planet.
Written by Gayatri Nair
Pic courtesy: Br Chris Poppelwell
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