DECLARATION OF THE 11th IMBISA
PLENARY ASSEMBLY
22 - 26 November 2016
Maseru (Lesotho)
We, the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops in
Southern Africa, (IMBISA) in our 11th plenary meeting held in Maseru, Lesotho,
considered thoroughly the theme “Empowering the laity for effective
engagement in socio political and environmental issues: ‘Laudato Si’ as a point
of reference.”
Having reflected on the major points of Pope
Francis’ Encyclical on environment ‘Laudato Si’, we identified issues in our
region relating to it. We analyzed the capacity and limitations of our Church
and explored ways and means of implementing ‘Laudato Si’.
Planet earth, which is God’s gift and common home
to all creatures, is gradually being destroyed by us human beings. We therefore
welcome the invitation of the Pope to conversion, which means changing
attitudes and behaviours that harm the earth, diminish human dignity,
impoverish quality of life and create inequality in society.
We gave attention to those manifestations of
environmental destruction that are of immediate concern in our region and
conference areas. These include pollution of the environment, harmful
byproducts in the production of some sources of energy, water pollution and
wastage. The consequences frequently result in diseases, corruption,
consumerism, unemployment and inequality.
We identified practical ways and means of informing
ourselves and our lay people to adopt a caring and responsible attitude towards
the gift of creation which includes a celebration of creation around the feast
of St. Francis of Assisi.
We mandate the secretariat and the staff of IMBISA
to gather and disseminate information informed by ‘Laudato Si’ with suggested
specific concrete targets to enhance the awareness and implementation of our
goals, keeping in mind that there are presently programmes addressing some of
these issues at conference levels. We recommend that each conference continues
to address these issues.
We commit ourselves to with in the care of common
home and we appeal to all women and men of goodwill to take the issue of
environment seriously.
No comments:
Post a Comment