Configuration and Application of a Contextualized Christian Ecological Ethics: The Case of Mahereza Rural Commune, Madagascar

This study examines the contribution of a contextualized Christian ecological ethics to local responses to climate change challenges in Madagascar. The research focuses on the rural commune of Mahereza, a community deeply rooted in Christian faith and reliant on subsistence agriculture. The methodology combines biblical exegesis, field surveys, and the integration of Malagasy national environmental policies. Findings highlight a strong spiritual sense of responsibility toward creation, yet reveal a gap between this conviction and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. This discrepancy is primarily driven by economic, technical, and structural constraints, which limit the implementation of Christian ecological principles. The proposed ethical framework unfolds in three stages: repentance, transformation of perspective, and concrete commitment inspired by the Servant Christ. It fosters an alliance between faith, local knowledge, and agroecological innovations to reconcile agricultural productivity with the safeguarding of creation. Churches, in collaboration with the state, NGOs, and academic institutions, can play a strategic role in this transition. Ultimately, this approach promotes dialogue between faith, science, and policy, framing ecology as both a space for spiritual conversion and collective transformation.