KENYA: Care for Environment is Care for Humanity, Nuncio’s Message to Family of Daystar University at Historic Visit
Daystar Family; Staff and students Credit; AMECEA online
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
“Basically, when humanity cares for the environment, we care for ourselves,” this was the key significant message by the Pope’s representative in Kenya, to the family of Daystar University during a historic visit when the first-ever leader of the Catholic Church visited the Kenyan-based university which was registered in the country nearly 50 years ago.
Referencing Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si that was published in 2015 focusing on care for environment, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen highlighted that humanity needs to respect nature as well as its own identity and purpose.
“We are part of creation and if nature collapses humanity collapses along with it,” Archbishop van Megen said Wednesday, November 30, during his visit at the University’s main campus in Athi-river located some 40 kilometers from Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
The native of the Netherlands made a landmark visit a year after the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University Prof. Laban Peter Ayiro met the Pontiff whose philosophy in the Laudato Si’ encyclical inspired him to embrace more the significance of caring for creation.
Even though Laudato Si is an encyclical written by the Pope, the Nuncio said, “It is not only for Catholics but the document is addressed to people of good will irrespective of one’s Faith because the call for care of creation and environment is a responsibility to all.”
He bemoans the carelessness of humanity that has led to environmental degradation saying, “For a long time probably for the last 300 years, we have considered ourselves to be the rulers of nature and abusing it for our own benefits.”
Addressing hundreds of Catholic students and the staff who were present during the Wednesday visit, the Prelate who doubles as representative of the Holy Father in South Sudan appreciated the University for guiding the students to learn beyond academics.
“I appreciate your keen interest in the implementation of Laudato Si and caring for environment. Being a Christ centered University, it’s a clear sign that you recognition that we are all created in the image and likeness of God,” the Vatican Diplomat said and continued, “the fact that you help students realize their own vocations and identify other qualities they have to help them serve the society is an act that goes beyond academics. What you teach is realized in the society through the students.”
He further encouraged students who desire to be diplomates in the future not to hesitate but strive to realize their dream.
“Being a diplomat is a beautiful vocation and a way of knowing the world, knowing different cultures, learning many languages and becoming a better human being,” the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations Environment Program and Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) underscored and emphasized further, “With these differences, we realize the beauty of diversity and understand the common identity of humanity.”
On his part, after touring the Pope’s representative together with his companion Monsignor Jose Antonio Texeiras, the Nunciature’s charge d’affaires, through the Laudato Si garden within the University compound where about 6,000 trees have been planted, and after planting some trees to mark the day, the VC Prof. Ayiro expressed how “deeply the university has been honored by the Nuncio’s visit.”
“Our pursuit as Daystar is oneness of the Christian Faith. We all believe in Jesus Christ as our savior and we should therefore overcome denominational biases and hindrances,” the VC who has been at the helm of the University since 2019 shared his message appreciating the visit of the Catholic Prelate irrespective of Daystar being a Pentecostal Christian University with over 1000 Catholic students and staff.
“The Nuncio’s coming is a validation and a manifestation of one strong relationship of oneness but more importantly he has validated my conviction on the philosophy of Laudato Si’ as articulated by Pope Francis which is more on saving mother earth and being one as the human race,” Prof. Ayiro said in an interview with AMECEA online on Wednesday 30.
The VC whose desire is to plant 50,000 trees within the main campus has also begun solarization in the University and exploiting green energy while hoping to engage more in massive tree planting exercise to green Daystar a step which he says will make the communities around know the benefits of planting trees.
He encourages members of the society to develop strategies for mitigation of environmental impacts saying, “Let us all make our small spaces better and let us engage in preserving the mother earth by planting trees, reducing the carbon fuel and tapping into environmental friendly energy.”
He disclosed that the State Corporation under the Ministry of Environment known as Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA) has promised the University 25,000 trees for planting within the campus.
He further calls upon organizations that can exploit the potentials of young people who have energy to engage them in various activities including tree planting exercises, cleaning up collecting plastic litter and recycling so the youths can be involved in caring for creation.
In conclusion Sr. Prof. Agnes Lucy Lando a Catholic Nun who serves as the Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the university’s branch in Nairobi appreciated the historic visit of the Pope’s representative and thanked the VC for welcoming the Catholic Church asking for continued collaboration.
