KENYA: Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic, Preparations for Laudato Si’ Week Underway
.Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following Pope Francis’ invitation early last month for a Laudato Si’ Week (LSW) to take place from May 16 to 24, preparations for the planned event is ongoing amidst the effect of COVID-19 that has led to alteration of initial programs from in-person gatherings to online conferences.
“The original vision for the week was a worldwide program of in-person gatherings. In order to account for the new reality we all face, those plans have been changed,” Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) Program Manager for Africa Fr. Benedict Ayodi told AMECEA Online Wednesday, April 22.
“There is a need to adapt the program to the reality of the Coronavirus. The Coronavirus is at the top of everyone’s mind and we need to make sure that our program is relevant to this global concern,” Fr. Ayodi explained.
Under the theme Everything is connected, the cleric explained that with the current reality, the event is to help “stress our interconnectedness as a global community and the need for solidarity around borders and co-responsibility,”
“Laudato Si’ is more relevant than ever to help guide us through this crisis. It is an inspiration during moments of difficulty, encouraging us to reflect on what is most important, to live more slowly, and to use our lives to create a just future,” Fr. Ayodi highlighted and continued, “The encyclical letter can be a guide for supporting us to hear “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” as one cry.”
In preparation for LSW, training of animators from various parts of the world to help in its promotion has been ongoing through web conferencing.
“Trainings began on 23rd March and the last was on 20th April, totaling to 5 sessions,” GCCM Africa Communications Coordinator Br. Stephen Makagutu told AMECEA Online in an interview.
He added that during the five sessions training animators focused on the work for climate justice; causes and consequences of climate change; what our faith Says; Laudato Si and Catholic Social Teaching; commitment to personal ecological conversion; action in the light of our faith; and digital and social media organizing.
Over 750 participants registered globally with about 152 from Africa. And Br. Makagutu, a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFMCap) said, “Each participant must come up with a capstone project which they have to register in the Laudato Si’ week website and undertake it during the Week.”
According Fr. Ayodi, OFMCap, “Institutions and individuals will be invited to commit to participating in Laudato Si’ Week. A variety of (other) online trainings will be held 16 to 23 May, and a worldwide day of prayer will take place on 24 May.”
Besides, “A platform and calendar will be available to showcase initiatives being organized by different Catholic institutions on the Laudato Si’ Week website. The website “will provide resources to reflect on how the social teachings of the encyclical can help us deal with and learn from this difficult moment,” the Capuchin cleric disclosed
He added, “Various activities have been set to take place prior to the LSW which include “Online prayer service to prepare for LSW on April 24, celebration of Earth day Wednesday, April 22, and mobilization on social media for sensitization of Laudato Si’ animators.”
To realize the set goals, Fr. Ayodi said, “We propose in-person events related to the Laudato Si’ anniversary be moved to the Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4).
The Laudato Si’ Week will instead be a moment for reflection, preparation, prayer and solidarity as part of a year-long journey to honor the encyclical, which will continue during Season of Creation and beyond.”
