Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have joined other faith-based and civil society actors in demanding that world “decision makers” act fast to address the climate change crisis, which they say is a “striking example of structural sin.”
In a communiqué that the First Vice President of SECAM read out on Monday, October 17 on behalf of Catholic Bishops in Africa and members of the African Climate Dialogues steering committee, climate change was also described as “a moral outrage”, which has plunged many populations on the African continent into deep suffering.
“Climate change is a moral outrage. It is a tragic and striking example of structural sin, facilitated by callous indifference and selfish greed. The climate crisis is leading to the destruction of our planet, the devastation of the lives of the poor, and the detriment of future generations,” Fridolin Besungu Cardinal Ambongo said.
Cardinal Ambongo added, “We, Church leaders and civil society organizations in Africa and beyond, demand world leaders, business leaders and decision makers to heed to this important communiqué, and in so doing, heed to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth.”
Members of SECAM and the African Climate Dialogues launched the communiqué in a virtual conference that was followed by over 50 participants from various organizations. The document brings together suggestions and requests from an African perspective ahead of the UN climate conference COP27.
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