by Gordon Nary
Gordon: When and why did you decide to become a Jesuit?
Peter: My journey towards becoming a Jesuit began during my high school years. It was during an Ignatian retreat in silence that I felt a deep and definite calling to the priesthood. I was around 18 years old at the time, and the retreat, led by a remarkable Jesuit, provided me with the space and guidance I needed for discernment. Initially, I joined the diocesan seminary, but the Jesuit charism of serving God through intellectual, spiritual, and social engagement deeply resonated with me. I entered the Jesuits in Slovenia, embracing a vocation that allowed me to integrate my spiritual calling with a commitment to justice, education, and a global mission. The decision was a profound one, shaped by a desire to serve and love more universally, beyond the boundaries of a single diocese.
Gordon: When did you attend Georgetown University, what degrees did you earn, and what was your favorite course? Why was it your favorite?
Peter: I attended Georgetown University from 2007 to 2012, where I earned my Ph.D. in Government with a focus on political science: regime change, transitional justice, democratization. My favorite courses were those exploring the foundational ideas that have shaped political systems and thought over centuries. They resonated deeply with my own interests in justice, ethics, and the role of governance in fostering the common good.
Gordon: When and why were you initially concerned by environmental challenges?
Peter: My concern for environmental challenges began to crystallize during my time at the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) in Brussels. It was there that I encountered the intersection of environmental degradation and social injustice, realizing how deeply these issues are connected. My involvement in the Environmental Justice Program at Georgetown University further deepened this awareness, as I worked on projects that highlighted the need for systemic change to address environmental inequities. This commitment continues in my current role at the Laudato Si' Research Institute (LSRI), where we explore how Catholic social teaching can inform responses to the ecological crisis. The call to care for our common home, as articulated by Pope Francis in Laudato Si', has become a guiding principle in my work.
Gordon: When and where did you serve as a Research Fellow, and what is one of your favorite memories from that time?
Peter: I served as a Research Fellow and Assistant to the President at Santa Clara University from 2013 to 2015. One of my favorite memories from that time was co-founding the American Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF), which has since grown into a prestigious program connecting educational opportunities across several countries. The foundation was born out of a desire to bridge educational gaps and foster connections between Slovenia and the United States. Seeing the impact of this initiative on young scholars and the broader community has been incredibly rewarding.
Gordon: When did you serve at Santa Clara University, and what positions did you hold? What were your primary responsibilities as Assistant to the President?
Peter: I served at Santa Clara University from 2013 to 2015, holding the positions of Research Fellow and Assistant to the President. My primary responsibilities included supporting initiatives related to the board of Trustees, as well as teaching, social justice, community engagement and beyond. I played a key role in strategic planning, helping to align the university’s mission with broader societal challenges. This role allowed me to engage deeply with the university's efforts to integrate academic excellence with a commitment to the common good. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my time there was working on projects that brought together different disciplines to address complex societal challenges.
Gordon: What initially interested you in moving to Slovenia? Please provide an overview of your work there, and some of the challenges you faced.
Peter: My move to Slovenia was driven by a desire to contribute to my home country's academic and social landscape after spending years abroad. In Slovenia, I served as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Ljubljana and also took on the role of Superior of the Jesuit community. My work involved various research projects related to democracy, ethics, and civil society. A significant challenge I faced was navigating the complexities of post-communist transitional justice, which required balancing academic inquiry with practical solutions for social reconciliation. Despite these challenges, the experience was deeply enriching, allowing me to contribute to the intellectual and spiritual life of Slovenia. Finally, I greatly enjoyed working with young people. At the time I helped establish two Jesuit residential colleges for students.
Gordon: When were you a staff member of Georgetown University, what positions did you hold, and what did you enjoy most about your work?
Peter: I was a staff member at Georgetown University from 2022 to 2023, where I held the positions of Associate Research Professor and Director of the Environmental Justice Program. What I enjoyed most about my work was the opportunity to engage with colleagues on pressing issues of environmental justice. Georgetown provided a unique environment where academic rigor and a commitment to the common good intersected, allowing me to contribute to meaningful conversations about the future of our planet. And I simply loved living and working with the Jesuits on campus: what a great community.
Gordon: You currently hold two positions—one at the Laudato Si' Research Institute, Oxford, and the other as a Fellow by Special Appointment at Campion Hall. What are your primary responsibilities at each institution?
Peter: At the Laudato Si' Research Institute (LSRI), I serve as the inaugural Director of the Integral Ecology Research Network (IERN). As we collectively shape IERN in its foundational phase, we face a unique opportunity to confront urgent socio-ecological challenges through transdisciplinary research. Focused on integral ecology and addressing the needs of the most environmentally vulnerable, our aim is to forge a global academic network rooted in scientific exploration that supports practitioners and policymakers. I warmly invite scholars, scientists, and all interested parties to join us in this vital mission.
My primary responsibilities include leading interdisciplinary research initiatives that address ecological challenges through the lens of Catholic social teaching. We explore how faith can inform and inspire responses to the ecological crisis, with a focus on integral ecology—a concept that emphasizes the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic issues.
At Campion Hall, as a Fellow by Special Appointment, I contribute to the academic and spiritual life of the community. Both roles allow me to integrate my passion for social justice with a commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of our relationship with the environment.
Gordon: Where have you volunteered? [perhaps this questions could be placed earlier, after Santa Clara or so?]
Peter: Over the years, I've had the privilege of volunteering in various capacities. In 2000, I founded the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) office in Slovenia, where I worked to support refugees and migrants. This experience was formative, as it deepened my commitment to social justice and reconciliation. Additionally, I volunteered as a mediator at the court in San Jose, California, where I helped resolve conflicts and promote restorative justice. These experiences have been integral to my Jesuit mission, which is centered on serving those at the margins and working for justice.
Gordon: What are the primary environmental challenges we face, and what steps do we need to take to reduce them?
Peter: The primary environmental challenges we face today include climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation caused by unsustainable practices. Addressing these issues requires a profound conversion—a transformation in how we view and interact with the world around us. This conversion should lead to changes in our daily practices, such as adopting more sustainable diets, reducing our carbon footprint through responsible travel, and embracing a simpler lifestyle.
However, personal change alone is not enough. We need systemic changes at the national and multilateral levels, including policies that promote environmental justice and sustainability. These policies should be informed by the principles of integral ecology, which recognize the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic issues. Only by combining personal transformation with systemic change can we hope to effectively address the environmental challenges of our time.
Gordon: Thank you for an exceptional and incisive interview.
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