Catholic Members of Parliament (MPs) have been urged to be inspired by the Church’s commitment to preserve and protect the environment and join the noble call, by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa, by planting and taking care of trees in their respective constituencies.
This was said by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi Parliamentary Liaison Officer, Rev Fr. Henry Chinkanda, during a Eucharistic celebration with the MPs at the Parliament building in Lilongwe – Malawi. He said the depletion of the soil and the environment is dangerous because people’s livelihood depends on the environment.
“We are aware how the environmental degradation is adversely affecting human life worldwide and Malawi is not exempted. We have in the recent years experienced strange weather phenomenon such as floods, dry spells, late rainy seasons, heat waves, storms and others. The soil is also being degraded which is worrisome to human integral development.” Said Fr. Chinkanda
Quoting Cardinal Tagle’s presentation at the AMECEA Plenary in Tanzania which urged people to have the Spirit of caring for the environment and for one another to achieve integral development in the world, Fr. Chinkanda said integral development is what the MPs promised the people in their constituencies during campaign time hence the need to take seriously the call by the Church.
“In the Spirit of Laudato Si, let us remember that the Church and Government are collaborators in this venture; we all have the responsibility of taking care for God’s people and creation which reminds us of God’s presence. Therefore, there is need for good legal framework and political will which would enhance Environmental conservation and proper mechanism to enforce such instruments.” Urged Fr. Chinkanda
He continued by asking the members of Parliament to teach by example in their constituencies by planting trees – “Could every Member of Parliament have a demonstration woodlot in his or her constituency? It is now time to think of initiating one. Proper care of the soil should be at the heart of every person particularly here in Malawi where we depend on land for our livelihood.” Said Fr. Chinkanda
Representing the MPs, Member of Parliament for Phalombe South Constituency, honorable Mary Mpanga who is also the deputy leader of the Parliament Catholic Small Christian Community, thanked the Church in Malawi for always remembering Catholic politicians in its pastoral services and said they will take the initiative to have demonstration woodlots in their constituencies.
“We plant trees during the tree planting month almost every year, but what has been the challenge is taking care of them so that they fully grow. We therefore, have been enlightened and inspired to plant trees and take care of them. We will encourage the people we represent including chiefs to do the same for integral human development.” Said honorable Mpanga
The Mass was celebrated under the theme ‘Environmental Impact on Integral Development’ borrowed from the 20th AMECEA Plenary Assembly from 10th to 18th July, 2022.