Duty to safeguard environment

Archbishop Mercieca and Bishop Nikol Cauchi of Gozo, in a joint pastoral letter on the occasion of Santa Marija, the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, on Thursday, which is being read in all churches today, stressed the importance of caring for the environment - a responsibility to be carried by the government, families and individuals.

This is the text of the pastoral letter.

The celebration of the Feast of Mary's Assumption into Heaven is an annual event that is very important in the life of our people.

It is a feast that, in itself, reminds us of the power of the intercession of Mary, the Mother of the Saviour.

Mary never fails to intercede for us with the Lord.

The story of the marriage at Cana shows us to what extent Mary's mediation can be immediate, concrete and fruitful.

Therefore, it is very fitting that, on such a special occasion as the Feast of the Assumption, we present ourselves to our Mother so that, while thanking her for all she does for us with the Lord, we ask her to help us realise and accomplish that which is really for our own good and for the good of those who will come after us.

When we approach Mary with our prayers, we have to ask first and foremost for all that, which makes us true followers of Her Son and her worthy children.

We need Mary's mediation above all so that she helps us, we who are penitent and sorrowful, to renew ourselves and grow in the love of God and our neighbour.

In the world we live in, today more than ever before, we have to show our love for God and our neighbour also in the extent and the way we appreciate creation.

This is particularly important because in his endeavour to strengthen and enhance development, man does not always pay due or sufficient attention to the natural heritage and the environment.

Naturally, the key to everything is in how much governments succeed in following the principles of the unique dignity of man and the inalienable rights of each human being, rights that must always be kept intact.

In this context, the Church cannot but be glad to see the international community become more united in its commitment to consider full, wise, good and sound development as a matter of life or death for humanity.

The Church also augurs that the UN Environment Summit being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 26 to September 4, helps the international community to make concrete progress in this respect.

However, what the international community is doing or can achieve is not enough. There is also the part each and every one of us has to play in the family of mankind, which is one family, according to our responsibility towards others and our solidarity with our neighbour.

A look around us

Our homeland is a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Its international strength in the preservation of creation is found, primarily, in the strong voice it can have in international meetings. Our country does well, at these meetings, to argue that creation is there for all humans and that good care should be taken of creation so that it can be enjoyed by present and future generations.

However, when it comes to our own country, the responsibility falls squarely on our shoulders. We have to be careful so as not to suffer dangerous pollutions. We also have to take care of the air we breathe, the land we cultivate and the sea that surrounds us.

What does this mean for Christians?

It means that, while keeping in mind the reality of creation as a whole, we have to feel responsible and give our contribution so that creation is not destroyed as a result of the harm caused by situations such as when land is used carelessly, when the way progress is achieved is faulty, and when there is greed and egoism.

It was precisely for this reason that, when in 1993 it transferred its property to the State, the Church in Malta made it a condition that the property was to be used to promote the safeguarding of the environment and the development of agriculture, and to meet the country's most pressing social requirements, such as social housing and public utilities, as well as for humanitarian, educational and cultural purposes.

As we Bishops have already had the occasion to declare, public authorities have a serious responsibility to consider not only the economic but also the social development of the community, which should always include the protection of health and life, and also safeguard and respect the natural environment.

At the same time, in shouldering this responsibility, public authorities should have the encouragement, co-operation and support of each and every one of us. Otherwise, instead of ensuring a united effort, we would risk ending up with people building the edifice while others dismantle it. No one should be allowed, in one way or another, to destroy or cause irresponsible damage to creation, nature or the environment.

We also have to feel responsible towards future generations, who in due tcourse will either thank or condemn us for what we pass on to them.

Role of families

Families should be front-runners in striving so that the laws and institutions of the country fully support and defend creation and the natural environment.

Families should strive to change society for the better. Otherwise, they will be the first to suffer from the damage that may result, about which maybe they would have done little or nothing, as if it did not affect them.

Families should also give a sound formation to their children, in that through word of mouth and example, they teach them to love, appreciate and safeguard creation, nature and the environment.

Children should be also educated in developing a civic sense. They should be encouraged to ensure that we have cleanliness everywhere. We need cleanliness not only in our homes, but also in our national home that is our mother country: in the streets, squares, countryside and seashores.

Such a formation is an integral part of the education of people of a civilised country.

That society which rears and enhances love and respect towards creation and towards everything that improves and enhances the environment would be investing in citizens of a stronger character also enhanced with inherent signs of a strong sense of human solidarity.

The strongest bulwark society may have against the vilification of creation and of the environment - as happens in cases were birds and animals are killed or made to suffer in an irresponsible manner, when plants and trees are destroyed because of egoistic or capricious actions, when the common natural heritage suffers devastation because of the greed for money, and when there is uncontrolled pollution - has to be found, primarily, in disciplined citizens and of good character.

We bishops feel very sad when we hear about cases of lack of respect, harsh cruelty or brutal killing of animals, as has occasionally happened also in the recent post.

Mary's help

We invite everyone so that, in our commitment in favour of creation and the environment, we look for Mary's help.

Mary surely has at heart the beauty of what God created to be enjoyed by the human person, that is so dear to him that he sent his Only Son to this world to redeem him from the slavery of sin.

The Mother of the Lord of Creation will certainly help us.