1st September 2025
As we enter the Season of Creation, a sacred and solemn time dedicated to recognising and honouring the beauty and bounty of the natural world, we find ourselves called to deeper reflection and decisive action.
This year, the recent Pastoral Statement on Pollution and Environmental Degradation in Zambia compels us to confront the urgent environmental crises threatening our communities and ecosystems: rampant pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and water contamination.
The Season of Creation invites us, as people of faith, to renew our commitment to act as responsible stewards of God’s creation. This stewardship goes beyond spiritual reflection; it calls for practical and sustained engagement in conserving and protecting our environment. We are called to incorporate ecological principles into our lifestyles, promote environmental education, and advocate for justice that heals both people and the planet.
Environmental stewardship is not optional but central to our Christian vocation. It demands that we listen to the cry of the Earth as well as the cry of the poor, recognizing the interconnectedness of all creation. In Zambia, this means addressing the causes of pollution and degradation by supporting sustainable agricultural practices, protecting forested areas, managing waste responsibly, and urging government and business leaders to adopt and enforce policies that respect the integrity of creation.
Scripture reminds us of our sacred responsibility:
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28)
This dominion is not a license for exploitation, but a divine mandate for stewardship—one that calls us to care, protect, and preserve creation for the common good.
Pope Francis echoes this in Laudato Si’, his encyclical on the environment, where he writes: “The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.” He urges us to hear both “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor,” recognizing that ecological degradation and social injustice are deeply intertwined.
May this Season of Creation deepen our appreciating the wonder of God’s handiwork and empower us to become faithful guardians of the Earth. Let us embrace the call of the Pastoral Statement by transforming our awareness into action, fostering solidarity with those affected by environmental harm, and committing ourselves to sustainable living that honours God, uplifts humanity, and protects the fragile web of life.
In this holy time, may our prayers and deeds be united in a powerful witness of renewal, restoration, and hope for our beloved Zambia and the entire world
