AMECEA: AMECEA’s PIHD Department Rolls Out Radio Programs on Laudato Si’ Goals
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The department of Promoting Integral Human Development (PIHD) at the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has initiated a year-long program with selected radio stations within the region, to promote awareness of Laudato Si’ action goals.
In the year 2020 when Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’ on Care for Mother Earth, marked its fifth anniversary, the Vatican launched seven goals promoting integral ecology as a guide to encourage various groups and individuals advocate for the care of environment.
According to AMECEA’s PIHD coordinator Fr. Paul Mung’athia Igweta at a virtual session on Monday, January 22, the department is following up on the bishops’ resolutions made during the 20th plenary assembly which was conducted under the theme: Environmental Impact on Integral Human Development.
Based on the prelates’ request for practical actions towards care for creation, Fr. Igweta shared with radio directors together with Justice and Peace Coordinators from selected conferences in the region that radio stations will be running programs to promote the seven Laudato Si’ goals. He added that for the seven goals “the radios will be rolling each goal monthly.”
The seven Laudato Si’ goals include: Response to the cry of the earth, response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of a simple lifestyle, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and community involvement and participation.
Addressing about ten online participants from Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Malawi during the Monday session, Fr. Andrew Kaufa the coordinator for AMECEA’s Social communication department and the moderator for the virtual meeting asked directors from the four radio stations to share their challenges and progress so far since they began running the Laudato Si’ programs.
Radio Maria-Malawi
The station has been airing a one-hour program since early January which commenced with the first goal: “Response to the cry of the earth.”
According to the representative who participated in the meeting, the radio in Malawi engages an expert to shed more light on the identified goal and respond to questions and comments from listeners.
The representative from Malawi revealed that “most people do not understand the connection between human beings and care for the environment as the Bible puts it,” but they keep educating the people to know that “destroying the environment is a sin and God gave humanity the responsibility to care for the environment,” hence the need to work towards its restoration.
Radio Ukweli- Tanzania in collaboration with Radio Maria International and Radio Tumaini
The radios first translated the Laudato Si’ messages into Swahili language that can be well understood by the locals.
The representative from Tanzania noted that the radio stations began programs on care for the environment way back in 2021 when the conference anticipated hosting the Bishop’s 20th Plenary Assembly which was on care of creation.
“We had a one-hour program twice a week where listeners would share about Laudato Si and then we discussed the way forward,” the participant from Tanzania said highlighting that they encouraged the people to know that there is a connection between humanity and the word of God.
“Since the Laudato Si guidelines came after we began the programs already, we are working on Kiswahili translation to begin the programs for the goals in February,” he added.
Radio Mchungaji- Kenya
The radio which plans to work with parishes in the diocese in collaboration with environmental conservation stakeholders, is yet to begin the first talk show in response to the cry of the earth.
“We plan to invite experts to the station to shed light on Laudato Si. We will have radio spot messages which are educational to be aired daily, and we will also make videos for social media platforms on environmental conservation,” the participant from Kenya narrated adding that the programs will be in the Samburu language.
Radio Bakhita- South Sudan
The radio station has begun airing the Laudato Si goals and appreciates the commitment to the project.
The ten participants were encouraged to connect the programs on care for the environment with Christ’s teachings. And emphasize to listeners, especially the practical part of the Pope’s encyclical letter Laudato Si’.
