Luanda, 22 May, 2025 / 9:38 PM
As the Church marks ten years since the publication of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter on care for our common home, Laudato Si’, the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST) has raised concerns about growing threats to the environment, calling for urgent and concrete actions to protect the planet.
In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the ‘Miombo Conference: Caring for Our Common Home’ that was held on Thursday, May 22, at the Prosperar Foundation Auditorium in Luanda, Fr. Celestino Epalanga warned of the devastating effects of climate change, deforestation, and unregulated natural resource exploitation in Angola and across Africa.
Commemorating both the encyclical’s 10th anniversary and paying tribute to Pope Francis one month after his passing, the conference gathered religious leaders, environmentalists, and civil society members to reflect on the urgency of caring for the planet.
Fr. Epalanga pointed to environmental degradation and the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources as issues he said “affect the most vulnerable populations directly.”
“The environmental crisis we are facing is not only an ecological issue but also a matter of social justice,” he noted, highlighting the disproportionate impact on poor communities in developing nations.
“We are seeing great inequality between rich countries and developing countries, and this is reflected in the living conditions of the poorest populations,” the Angolan member of the Society of Jesus (SJ/Jesuits) told ACI Africa.
Drawing attention to unsustainable practices such as desertification and ineffective environmental policies, Fr. Epalanga revealed cases of rapid destruction of Angola’s forests and the resulting impact on agriculture and food security.
“Our forest is being destroyed at an accelerated pace, and this has direct effects on community life. Desertification is advancing, and the impact on agriculture and food security is devastating,” he said, citing southern Angola as an example.
While acknowledging efforts by Angola’s Ministry of Environment to preserve nature, he faulted the government's extractive policies.
“Unfortunately, we have seen that the government's logic remains the unrestrained exploitation of natural resources without considering the consequences for the environment and future generations,” Fr. Epalanga said.
He warned of threats posed by oil and gas exploration in sensitive ecosystems such as the Okavango Basin, which originates in Angola’s Cuando Cubango Province and extends to Botswana.
“The government seems unaware of the gravity of the situation. Oil exploration in the Okavango could destroy one of the world’s most important ecosystems, and this will have irreversible consequences not only for Angola but for all humanity,” the Angolan Catholic Priest said.
He continued, “We are losing precious natural resources, and pollution continues to affect the lives of thousands of Angolans, especially the poorest who live in the most affected areas.”
In response to the crisis, Fr. Epalanga detailed the Church's active role in raising awareness and launching sustainability projects.
“The Church has committed to practical actions to mitigate the effects of the environmental crisis. We are promoting reforestation projects, community training, and support for ecosystem preservation,” he said.
Among the initiatives, he mentioned the creation of Laudato Si' forests, saying, “In 2018, we launched the first Laudato Si' forest in the Namibe desert. It was an important step, and now we are replicating the model in several dioceses in Angola.”
In 2019, religious communities in Namibe planted about 150 seedlings. Similar actions followed in Benguela and Bié, where the Church is developing a 38-hectare agroforestry project with fruit trees, pines, and eucalyptus.
“The project is not only about planting trees but also about empowering people to become defenders of the environment,” he emphasized.
Fr. Epalanga underscored the impact of Pope Francis’ encyclical, calling it “a source of inspiration for many of the actions undertaken by the Church.”
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He affirmed that “Laudato Si’ is not just an encyclical for Catholics. It is a universal call, and our mission is to bring this message to all people, regardless of their religion or origin.”
The Executive Secretary of the CCJP of CEAST advocated for a shift in the global economic model, calling for “an economy of Francis and Clare that puts the human person at the center of economic concerns, without neglecting the protection of the planet.”
He urged Angolans and Africans to embrace their shared responsibility to Mother Earth, saying, “It is fundamental that everyone assumes their responsibility. The Church will continue to raise awareness, but it is also essential that governments adopt effective public policies and companies embrace responsible practices.”
“Caring for our common home is everyone’s mission. We must be responsible for our actions and care for the planet for future generations,” Fr. Epalanga told ACI Africa on May 22.
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