MALAWI: To Mark World Consecrated Day, Diocese of Dedza Engages in Care for Our Common Home
Bishop Chifukwa ready to plant a tree
Sam Kalimba
Mark the 2023 world day of the consecrated life on 4th February, the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Dedza, Rt. Rev. Peter Adrian Chifukwa led the consecrated men and women in the diocese in planting trees around the Diocesan cemetery near Bembeke Cathedral of the Holy Family.
“This exercise is symbolic enough and it is a response to the call by our mother Church to take care of our common home, the earth,” Bishop Chifukwa said and explained the symbolic nature of the act to the consecrated life adding, “As we plant these trees today, not all will survive the pressure from all angles. There are animals the we rear, there are ants in the soils, there are infertile soils and name it. All these are after benefiting quickly from these young trees we are planting. Hence, just as we seek God to protect us in our calling, we also need to protect these trees from hash weather conditions and scavengers. Survival rate of these trees will show how serious we are as men and women of God in taking care of this common home of ours.”
The Bishop of Dedza also asked the Christians who stay around the Bembeke Cathedral to join hands in taking care of the planted trees on behalf of the Church.
“The clergy and the Religious have planted trees. They will return to their parishes and duty institutes and leave you here. It is easy to plant the trees but the problem is taking care of the trees to grow. The beauty with our Church is that we share responsibilities. So, we give this new woodlot to you to take care. We expect you to mainstream your activities by way of including care for environment including these trees in your calendars,” he said.
Over 120 priests, Sisters and Brothers planted trees. The trees were sourced with support from diocesan Pontifical Mission Society office.
Bishop Chifukwa thanked the Consecrated men and women for the unity they show in the diocese and asked them to nurture the spirit.
