Archbishop urges care of the environment

The first national conference on the Church and the environment started yesterday with the Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, saying that environmental justice was at the core of Christians' responsibilities.

He said the conference, which continues today and tomorrow, aimed to start a formal dialogue about the relevance of Christian beliefs to environmental issues.

Mgr Mercieca said the synod document about deaconry and justice stated that every person had the right to enjoy the earth and it was therefore everyone's duty to ensure that everyone did enjoy it.

"This means that people have to take care of the environment, protect it from damage and do their part so that everyone can enjoy it in a proper manner," he said.

The Archbishop said conflicts between the environment and economic development were not healthy.

"Any development should be a sustainable one and respect three basic principles - the rights and dignity of people, humanity and the environment," he said.

Mgr Mercieca stressed that important natural resources should not be wasted and animals, trees and plants should be respected.

"We should love the environment. Everyone is in duty bound to take care of what God entrusted into our hands. We should ensure that no avoidable damage is done," he said.

The Archbishop said the synod felt the need to set up an environment commission within the pastoral secretariat, made up of experts. The commission had been formed and had already taken a number of initiatives. It was also striving to sensitise people about the environment during Mass, through a leaflet which would include information about a particular aspect and a prayer. The leaflet would be distributed every two months.

As part of its work, the commission has presented the Church authorities with a technical report about its views on the interim landfills that have been proposed.