{"id":17,"date":"2016-04-29T08:55:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-29T08:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/2016\/04\/29\/zambia-catholic-bishops-urge-govt-to\/"},"modified":"2016-05-16T09:03:04","modified_gmt":"2016-05-16T09:03:04","slug":"zambia-catholic-bishops-urge-govt-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/2016\/04\/29\/zambia-catholic-bishops-urge-govt-to\/","title":{"rendered":"ZAMBIA: Catholic Bishops urge Govt to implement Policies that Protect the Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nThe Catholic Bishops of Zambia have called on the
\ngovernment to implement policies that protect the environment and refrain from
\ndeveloping cold feet every time there are vested interests in mining and
\nagriculture investments.<\/div>\n
\n
\nIn a communique read at the end of the two-day conference aimed at polarizing Pope
\nFrancis\u2019 encyclical, Laudato SI with special focus on Mining and Agriculture,
\nZambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Telesphore Mpundu who read the
\ncommunique said that the government should also strive to harmonise all
\npolicies that govern mining, game management, agriculture, water and land.<\/div>\n
\n
\nThe Bishops also expressed concern about the environmental impact of large
\nscale mining and agriculture. \u201cWhile appreciating that the two sectors are
\ncardinal in creating jobs and meeting our daily needs, there is need for
\nprudent and sustainable management of the earth\u2019s resources to reduce poverty
\namong the people for the benefit of all and future generations\u201d Archbishop
\nMpundu said.<\/div>\n
\n
\nMeanwhile the bishops say they have been inspired by the deep insights from His
\nEminence, Cardinal Peter Turkson sharing through the key note address in at the
\nconference in which he gave an overview of the encyclical Laudato Si\u2019 and urged
\nthe conference to translate the ideas of the message into action and change attitudes towards all creation so as to Care for
\nour Common Home, <\/i>in the context of
\nour quest for socio-economic and political development.<\/div>\n
\n
\nSome of the resolution at the conference was that ; Solidarity with the poor and afflicted the church shall stand in
\nsolidarity with the poor communities by sharing information and education in
\norder to empower them.  In
\nappreciating  that mining has contributed
\nto the development of societies and industries and recognising that mining
\ncontributes to job and wealth creation of the country,  the conference participants however challenged
\nthe mining sector to begin to practice responsible mining that take into
\naccount the needs of the environment and the affected communities and that mining
\ncompanies should put in place actions that go a long way in reclaiming land
\nthat has been used for extracting minerals so that it can be re-used for other
\npurposes.<\/div>\n
\n
\nOn terms of mining concessions and agreements, they demand that there be
\ntransparency and accountability starting from the affected communities to the
\npolicy makers saying Government, Traditional leaders and mining companies
\nshould lead the way in promoting transparency and further appealed to relevant
\ninstitutions such as Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to exercise its
\nmandate and provide information to those affected, especially displaced
\ncommunities as a result of mining. <\/div>\n
\n
\nAnd the participants have pledged commitment to the promotion of
\nconservation, regenerative and organic farming which allow the earth to
\nregenerate noting it\u2019s the best way of caring for our common home.<\/div>\n
\n
\nThe participants further noted that although large
\nscale agriculture is necessary for increased production of food to achieve food
\nand nutrition security, it must be responsive to the needs of the environment
\nand care must be taken to promote biodiversity in their practices and
\nmethodologies.<\/div>\n
\n
\nThe conference held at the News Government Complex
\nfrom 25th to 26th April, 2016 was attended by Catholic
\nBishops, Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa
\n(AMECEA)\u2019s Justice and Peace Department, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi,
\nMining companies representatives, Government Officials, Zambian Civil Society
\nOrganisation (CSOs), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Catholic
\nCommission for Development (CCD) in Zambia, the clergy, the Religious, Business
\nExecutives, academicians, and the lay faithful from Catholic dioceses in
\nZambia.
\nOther were His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Turkson,
\nthe President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who is
\nrepresenting the Holy See; the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His
\nExcellency Julio Murati, and two Zambian Chiefs.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nSOURCE: ZEC, Communication department<\/i><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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