A conference to mark the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ second encyclical, Laudato si’, was convened last Friday, June 17 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Kenya, bringing together clergy, religious men and women and laity keen on the care of the environment.
Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Franciscans Africa and CUEA’s Center for Social Justice and Ethics convened the day-long conference, in collaboration with Mother Earth-Network (ME-NET) and Global Catholic Climate Movement under the theme, “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s creation as our Christian experience.”
Participants at the conference were led by various facilitators to deliberate on the global impact of Laudato Si’, what people have done towards caring for our common home and what more can be done for the betterment of the environment.
Dated 24 May 2015 and borrowed from the canticle of Saint Francis of Assisi meaning “Praise be to you,”Laudato Si’ was officially published on 18 June 2015, accompanied by a news conference on the document, which was released in Italian, German, English, Spanish, French, Polish, Portuguese and Arabic.
Since its release, Catholic institutions including parishes, schools, institutions of higher learning, special groups as well as other secular organizations have studied, reflected upon and discussed the text, living up to what Pope Francis expressed in the encyclical’s introduction: “I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.”
Bishop Alfred Rotich, formerly of Military Ordinariate of Kenya, who graced the Friday event challenged the participants to play an active role in the care for the environment.
“Why the unnecessary noise of trafficking? Why use God’s lovely creation to make money? Why tribalism,” Bishop Rotich queried and added, “This does not give an environment to celebrate Laudato Si’ and praise God as our creator.”
He advocated for sobriety and gentleness saying, “One cannot dialogue with nature when full of noise. We have noise in the world, accusations, sinful acts which we need to overcome by being sober and gentle. This is what can help us have the ability to listen to our brothers, sisters, the plants and entire environment.”
anniversary 1 of laudato si in kenya bBishop Rotich encouraged participants to help spread the message in the year-old document.
“We have all forms of social networks, which we can use to enlighten the entire world about care of our common home, it is good we are doing something but it is never enough,” he said.
“We should know that it is not only planting trees but also planting seeds of love, of care, of protection, and of dignity so that we bring out a new generation of people who love one another,” Bishop Rotich observed, adding, “We will all then be happy to join in the canticle of Brother Francis; “All you creatures praise the Lord!”
Quoting Kenya’s renowned political and environmental activist late Wangari Maathai, the founding director of CUEA’s Center for Social Justice and Ethics Father Juvenalis Baitu warned, “If you interfere with nature, nature will not forgive you.”
Prof. Baitu highlighted the key areas of Christian vocation in the encyclical, which include living by the light of Christian Faith, ecological conversion and Christian ecological Spirituality.
“As in the Pope’s encyclical, careering for our common home is a call to a restored tripartite relationship with God, fellow human beings and the environment. It therefore calls for the respect of human life and enjoying the beauty of creation and environment. Thus we are all called to act, and if you wait until everybody moves then nothing can be achieved, begin the move as an individual.” Father Baitu said.
Speaking at the same event, the Chairman of Interfaith Network on Action for Environment, Father Charles Odira said that the care of environment starts with each individual and that it is a common responsibility, which takes common commitment and positive attitude.
“Environment is ultimately a spiritual exercise and the more we go into environmental care, the more we get to know God. If we can get God in environment we shall have gone through ecological conversion.” said Father Odira, who is also the National Executive Secretary at the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate of the Kenya conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).
He urged the participants to convert Popes words to action and called for dialogue where there are different opinions about the care for the environment.
anniversary 1 of laudato si in kenya cAt the event, participants shared about the various activities they have taken since the launching of Laudato Si’ as well as what they are planning to do in the future.
“We have planted trees with students and they are growing so well since the students are taking care by watering, weeding and manuring,” one participant said.
“We have resolved to the use of biogas such that we no longer throw away garbage wastes from the kitchen but recycle them for a better use as fuel,’ another participant shared.
“We are organizing inter-school competition on environment for the students to learn more on the care of our common home,” remarked another participant who is planning on the next activity to be carried out.
The anniversary concluded with each participant lighting a candle in honor of earthquake victims from Japan, Ecuador and Italy, which happened as a result of negligence of caring for Mother Earth.
