The Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, blessed two new beehives at Campion Hall, the Jesuit Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford, in a ceremony highlighting the Hall's commitment to integral ecology and care for creation.

The blessing took place on the opening day of the Integral Ecology Summer School, a two-week programme bringing together Jesuits in formation from around the world, alongside other religious and laypeople, to deepen their understanding and practice of integral ecology. Members of the Hall community joined participants for the ceremony, which was followed by Mass celebrated by Archbishop Maury Buendía.

In his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the meaning behind the blessing. "As we have seen in the blessing of the bee hives before this Mass, a respect for the natural world is an expression of gratitude and love for God, the Creator of all things," he said. "The world is not simply a collection of resources for our use, but a precious gift entrusted to us by the Lord."

The new hives are the latest expression of Campion Hall's commitment to integral ecology, bringing together research, faith and practical action in response to today's ecological challenges. Alongside its academic work through the Laudato Si' Research Institute and the Integral Ecology Research Network, the Hall is seeking practical ways to care for creation. It is also working with Oxford City Council and other neighbours to transform a neglected alleyway into a flourishing green space.

The beehives will be populated over the coming weeks and cared for by the recently formed Oxford Beekeeping Society, which also maintains hives at another Oxford college.

Dr Nick Austin SJ, Master of Campion Hall, said:

"We are all looking forward to welcoming bees into our garden at Campion Hall. Every bee has its own part to play in the life of the hive, contributing to the flourishing of the whole. I hope these new neighbours will inspire us in our vocation as an academic community seeking wisdom for the common good: gathering what is good, patiently transforming it, and offering its sweetness for others, all for the greater glory of God."

The Integral Ecology Summer School reflects Campion Hall's growing international work in bringing together theology, science and environmental practice, inspired by Pope Francis's vision of integral ecology in Laudato Si' and rooted in the Jesuits' apostolic preference for care of our common home.