The Catholic Church in Kinshasa has expressed deep concern over the city's severe environmental degradation, with Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu describing Kinshasa as an "immense poubelle" (giant dumpster). The city's environmental crisis is characterized by the accumulation of waste, proliferation of plastics, disappearance of green spaces, and recurrent flooding. The Church has launched a year-long campaign, themed "Ensemble pour une gestion évangélique de l'environnement" (Together for Evangelical Environmental Management), to raise awareness and promote collective action to address the issue.
The environmental crisis in Kinshasa has severe consequences for its residents, including the spread of diseases linked to poor sanitation and hygiene. The city's infrastructure is also severely impacted, with clogged drains and rivers contributing to recurrent flooding. According to Cardinal Ambongo, the crisis is a result of human actions and requires a collective response. The Church's campaign aims to promote a culture of environmental stewardship and encourage individuals, communities, and institutions to take responsibility for protecting the environment.
The Catholic Church's campaign is guided by the principles of integral ecology, as outlined in Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si'. The Church sees environmental protection as an integral part of its mission and a moral imperative. Cardinal Ambongo emphasized that loving God and respecting creation are inseparable, and that the Church has a critical role to play in promoting environmental stewardship.
The Church's campaign will involve various stakeholders, including parishes, schools, and community organizations. Cardinal Ambongo has called on the faithful to unite their efforts to address the environmental crisis, emphasizing that individual actions are insufficient to address the scale of the problem. The campaign will also involve collaboration with government agencies and other stakeholders to promote a coordinated response to the crisis.
The launch of the Church's campaign coincides with a renewed government effort to address the environmental crisis in Kinshasa. President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has established a task force to coordinate efforts to clean up the city and promote environmental awareness. The task force, led by Lieutenant-General Jean-Pierre Kasongo Kabwik, aims to develop a comprehensive plan to address the city's environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices.
The environmental crisis in Kinshasa has significant implications for the city's residents and the wider region. The Church's campaign aims to promote a culture of environmental stewardship and encourage collective action to address the crisis. As the city prepares to host the COP32 climate conference in 2027, the Church's initiative is seen as a critical step towards promoting sustainable development and environmental protection in the region.
The Catholic Church's campaign will culminate in the development of a new five-year pastoral plan, which will focus on promoting Christian identity, dignity, and pride. The plan, which will cover the period 2027-2032, aims to consolidate the gains made during the year-long campaign and promote a culture of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Key points
- The Catholic Church in Kinshasa has launched a year-long campaign to raise awareness about the city's severe environmental degradation and promote collective action to address the issue.
- The campaign aims to promote a culture of environmental stewardship and encourage individuals, communities, and institutions to take responsibility for protecting the environment.
- The Church's initiative coincides with a renewed government effort to address the environmental crisis in Kinshasa, and aims to promote a coordinated response to the crisis.
