Bishop Evans C.
Chinyemba, OMI's advent reflection examines the environmental challenges facing
Zambia especially in the Western Province. The reflection appeared in the November 2016 Mongu diocese newsletter.
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| (From L to R): Fr. Antonio Ponce, Bishop Evans Chinyama Chinyemba, Fr. Jim Brobst and Fr. Barnabas Simatende on the Zambezi River, ZAMBIA |
Banabahesu,
our lives are connected to the cycle of our environment. From late October
going through November, the communities in our region and other parts of the
country take pride in catching caterpillars. In the Western region, caterpillar
collectors use unorthodox ways of collecting caterpillars. They cut almost
every tree that has caterpillars on them. This spirit of collecting
caterpillars as if there is no tomorrow is bad for our environment. Some
species of trees in the near future will not be found. When this happens, there
will be no caterpillars. The same people cutting trees will turn and complain
as to what has happened to caterpillars.
In
the words of Pope Francis, it is said, ‘Each
year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we
will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost
forever. The great majority become extinct for reason related to human
activity’( LS 33). Another
environmental issue in our locality is the annual fish ban which government
imposes from December to March. In the midst of this fish ban we are surprised
to ding fishermen continuing to catch fish. Not only do they continue fishing,
but they employ weird ways of catching fish using mosquito nets. This is a very
bad habit which should stop. What will happen to our future generations? In
Laudato Si, we are told, ‘We are not God.
The earth was here before us and it has been given to us… Each community can
take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it
also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for
coming generations’ (Pope Francis, LS67).
Banabahesu,
we begin Advent Season. The Church during this liturgical Season calls and
invites us to be vigilant. Those who grew up in the previous republics will be
familiar with what used to be called Vigilantes. This group of people was bent
on being the eyes and mouths of government. They reported anyone who had a
different voice in the community other than the voice of the ruling party. In
some cases they even arrested those they suspected of being enemies of the
community or the party. They were alert and vigilant to what was happening
around them. Well, this reflection is
not a judgment about the bad or the good things the Vigilantes did in our
communities. It is about our vigilance
as to what is around us during this Advent Season. A spirituality of vigilance
leads us to be aware of who is to come, Emmanuel, God With Us. As we begin
Advent, we ought to ask ourselves if we are vigilant in our dealing with the
environment? Are we aware that the environment is ours to safeguard and
responsibly manage; and not for us to abuse? During this Advent Season, and as
we reflect on the themes of being alert, and of being vigilant what steps
should each one of us take in order to be good stewards of our environment?
Indeed the spirit of Advent is that of vigilance. Our
vigilance should lead us to a change of heart in doing what is good. In the Diocese of Mongu, Advent Season calls
for a change of heart in the way we take deal with our environment. Is this
not the time for our caterpillar collectors to change their hearts and find
better ways of collecting and harvesting caterpillars? Speaking to on 27th
September 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said, ‘The
resources of creation are an immense gift of God to humanity. Humanity is
duty-bound to protect this treasure and to counter the indiscriminate use of
the earth’s goods.’ Is the protecting of the earth not our responsibility?
Banabahesu, if we all take time to act on behalf of our environment, Advent
Season
will be a good experience for all of us. A change of heart is also needed in
the way our fishermen do their fish business. Our fishermen must adhere to
mandatory fishing cycle at the same time using recommended fishing gears and
methods. In fact the spirit of Advent is that of adhering to the Word as
announced in our hearing. It is about preparing the way in order to receive the
Word that is coming to us. Adhering to good environmental practices
Banabahesu,
an attitude of spiritual vigilance and a change of heart will be evidence of
Christ at work in our lives. When we do this we shall not only await and
prepare for the Messiah who is to come for us, but we shall be taking measures
to safeguard what God, the Father of the Messiah whom we await gave to
humankind.
Banabahesu,
may Mary accompany us in our Advent Season. Mary Our Mother was vigilant and
alert to the Words of God as proclaimed by Angel Gabriel. By so doing she
accepted to be part of the story of human salvation. Let each one of us emulate
Mary in her vigilance and alertness to the Word of God. This is a blessing I
wish each one of us during this Advent Season.
Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyama Chinyemba, OMI
Bishop of Mongu, Zambia
