Let’s Speak Out for Victims of “climate injustice”: Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa

Johannesburg, 02 September, 2023 / 9:24 PM

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) are, in their message for the Season of Creation 2023, advocating for victims of “climate injustice”.

In their Thursday, August 31 statement, Catholic Bishops in Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa say people need to work together “in prayer and action” to conserve the environment.

“We are called to join the river of justice and peace, to accept that climate and ecological justice issues matter, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity,” SACBC members say.

They add, “We are summoned to join the convention by reflecting on the river of justice, not only for humanity but for all creation."

To achieve justice for the environment, the Catholic Bishops say humanity needs "to repent of our ecological sins, change our attitudes and actions."

They call upon Christians to “take action to heal the damage already visible through natural disasters.” 

“We need to care for the environment, by using the earth’s scarce resources responsibly and carefully, reducing the use of non-degradable items, undertaking recycling, and appreciating the beauty of the environment," SACBC members say in their message for Season of Creation 2023, observed under the theme, “Let Justice and Peace Flow.”

They say that all people of God "must work together on behalf of all Creation, in prayer and action." 

SACBC members underscore the need to "strive to be this mighty river that preserves creation God has entrusted to us," 

"We must advocate a Gospel of Life to all creation,” SACBC members say in their reflection for the first week of the annual Season of Creation. 

Season of Creation is an ecumenical celebration for prayer and action for the environment.

It is observed from September 1, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of animals and ecology.