AMECEA PLENARY: Ecological Crisis Need Practical Responses in the Region, Say AMECEA Bishops as they close the Plenary
Launch of Regions Laudato Si' guidelines by AMECEA Bishops as they close the 20th Plenary Assembly
Sarah Pelaji
As AMECEA 20th plenary assembly ends in Dares Salam Tanzania on 17th July, 2022, the Catholic Bishops in the eastern African region have acknowledged that there is an ecological crisis which is to a certain extent man-made in the region.
Reading a Communique during the closing Mass held at Msimbazi Centre in Dar es Archdiocese, The AMECEA chairperson Rt. Rev Charles Kasonde of Zambia, said the scramble for natural resources has often resulted into conflicts and wars, which make the ‘cry of Mother Earth and of the poor even louder.
Bishop Kasonde said that in the [Eastern African] region, ecological crisis is now evidenced by negative effects of climate change which include droughts, floods and cyclones, among other disasters posing a growing threat to the socio-economic development of countries and to a sustainable future of the people’s livelihood.
The more than 100 bishops have also expressed deep concern over the rate at which forests are quickly being depleted due to use of firewood, charcoal burning and for infrastructure construction activities while the people are not making enough efforts to replant trees.
“We are equally concerned about mining and lack of effective waste management systems. We are aware that addressing these issues touches on economic justice and fairness. Therefore, they cannot be adequately addressed without due consideration of providing alternatives such as promoting the use of solar and wind energy and other means of livelihood. However, all these are contributing to pollution and environmental degradation in AMECEA region,” he added.
The Catholic bishops further commended the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), governments, dioceses, Catholic associations, individual men, women and all people of good will who are taking initiatives to protect the biodiversity such planting of trees and by cleaning the cities.
The Bishops have also reiterated the calls for aggressive environmental sensitization campaign at the basic community level in order to raise awareness.
“We reiterate the calls for aggressive sensitization campaign at the basic community level in order to raise awareness and improve our communication with the people on care for environment at all levels including at the Small Christian Communities and family level,” they said.
And on education, the Bishops emphasized the role of Catholic Social Teaching on environmental care and the importance of integrating eco-education and ecological activities in education programs for the empowerment of the youth and children in all schools and houses of formation to priesthood and Consecrated life saying young people must be educated so that they become ambassadors of good ecological practices.
They also underlined the need for the Catholic Church in AMECEA region to partner with government, other denominations and faith communities, families, the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and community development organizations and all people of good will in mobilizing on care for environment and mindset change.
They further underscored the need for all Catholic Bishops Conferences in AMECEA region to strengthen their advocacy role so that governments may come up with environmental care policies and laws that will curb the negative human practices but in a way that is sensitive to the welfare of their people.
And the Bishops have expressed solidarity with all communities that have been affected by floods, droughts and cyclones in AMECEA region; on the African continent and in other continents.
However, the bishops prayed for peace to prevail in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Northern Nigeria and Ukraine.
In addition, the Bishops have wished for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in Kenya.
The Catholic Bishops in the eastern African region of Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) have been meeting in Dar es Salam from 9th to 18th July, 2022 under the theme; Environmental on Integral Development.
AMECEA comprises of Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. Djibouti and Somalia are affiliate members.
Zambian Catholic Bishop, Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has been re-elected as Chairman of AMECEA, Fr Anthony Makunde the Secretary General of AMECEA for the next four years.
Bishop Kasonde announced that, the next AMECEA Plenary (21st plenary) assembly will be held in Uganda in 2026.
