KENYA: The Archdiocese of Nairobi responds to Pope’s Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si’” by planting one million indigenous trees
The Archdiocese of Nairobi through the initiative of John Cardinal Njue and the Nairobi Auxiliary Bishop David Kamau, prompted by the invitation of Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si” that calls for everyone through the Catholic bishops and pastors in the world to care for Mother Home, has launched one million tree planting campaign.
Pope Francis in the encyclical reaches out to everyone as the letter states, “I urgently appeal for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation that includes everyone since the environmental changes we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all… Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation.”
leads faithful from the Archdiocese in Tree Planting
Speaking on 12th, May, 2018 at Loreto Girls High school in Limuru where he lead students and environmentalists in planting trees, Rt. Rev. David Kamau said that, “following the Pope’s appeal to care for our common home mother earth, I join him in encouraging each one of us to actively contribute in every possible way to honor God’s command of being stewards and masters of his creation.”
Bishop Kamau noted with concern that, Kenyans are experiencing the effects of environmental changes owing to the recent adverse rainfalls that have caused havoc in various parts of the country. Since March, flooding has caused displacement of more than 500,000 people and 72,000 reported dead.
He added that worldwide people are experiencing consequences of environmental changes that includes: poor climatic conditions, challenges of health, hunger, global warming, shortage of water and food among others.
“All these are contributed by our negligence to care for the environment. Let us create a difference where we are by planting trees, conserving water catchment areas, making our environment clean and green once again for future generations,” Bishop Kamau advised.
Addressing the Director General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the Holy Father reminded the delegates that planting trees is safeguarding the richly biodiverse lungs of our planet; an invitation to continue the battle against phenomena like deforestation, pollution, poaching, soil erosion and desertification.
“The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all”; “climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods; it represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day,” The Pontiff said.
With the leadership of Bishop Kamau through the Archdiocese of Nairobi Office of the Education Secretary headed by Rev. Fr. Francis Kiarie and with the assistance of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Education and Religious education led by Augusta Muthigani, five thousand indigenous trees were planted in various Catholic Schools in Kiambu County.
The Archdiocese of Nairobi tree planting day also coincided with the National tree planting day where the Kenyan President His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the National Tree planting day and launched the government’s 1.8 billion tree planting campaign at the Moi Forces Academy, Eastleigh Nairobi.
Speaking at the event, President Kenyatta highlighted that forests and environment were in close relation to climatic patterns, concurring with Bishop Kamau that, the changing weather being witnessed in the country had been as a result of neglect of the environment, and it was upon all Kenyans irrespective of status, to heed the call and plant trees countrywide.
“Environment is the foundation of development, and it can no longer continue being taken for granted. I challenge all of us to step up and ensure that by 2022 the nation achieves and even surpasses the 10 per cent forest cover,” he said.
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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications, KCCB
