Bishops' Commission in Malawi Calls for Joint Effort “in caring for our mother earth”

In their May 23 statement, CADECOM officials said, “During the week we celebrate great progress the whole Church has made on its journey to ecological conversion. We share a fundamental commitment to drive the climate change adaptation and mitigation campaign.”

“Our call is in line with the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church on responsible care and stewardship for our common home ‘the Mother Earth’”, they added about the weeklong initiative that is to conclude on May 29. 

CADECOM officials said that they are joining the campaign in order to understand the destruction caused by humanity on the environment and the consequences of climate change on the people, especially the marginalized and the vulnerable in society.

In the statement, they highlighted some of the effects that have come with climate change, including increase in floods and droughts. They also highlighted the impact of COVID-19 in the whole world and Malawi and said that the issue is catastrophic.

“We recognize that climate change remains a global phenomenon and continues to put a considerable constraint on human development,” CADECOM officials said.

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“Therefore”, they said, “we join the Holy Father, Pope Francis and all Catholics across the world to take time and reflect on what COVID-19 pandemic has taught us and prepare for the future with hope.”

The officials of the entity of the ECM pledged to commit themselves in sensitizing Catholics and Malawians of goodwill about Laudato Si’.

They also expressed their commitment to joining the government's efforts in mobilizing Malawians to take part in conserving the environment such as afforestation exercises including caring for trees, national clean up days as well as the commemoration of national and international days on environment and climate change.

CADECOM officials promised to lobby the government to implement environment and climate change laws and policies as a top priority and to also push for allocation of needed funds for climate change related activities.

In their statement, they also committed to focus more on building adaptive resilience systems “unlike just implementing adapting strategies as systems are closely related to developmental approaches.” 

The officials also pledged to work collaboratively with other stakeholders to eliminate poverty and illiteracy, noting that the two are some of the drivers exacerbating environmental degradation in Malawi.

They said that they will address gender gaps in building climate resilience and invest in agricultural food systems that are sustainable.

CADECOM officials further reaffirmed their commitment towards collaborating “with like-minded stakeholders on promoting renewable energy as an alternative source of clean energy.”

They pledged to “continue mobilizing the people we serve to adhere to public health measures in light of COVID-19 and cholera outbreak in the country.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.