Human activities are the main cause of current environmental degradation – Social Pastoral Working Group of the Federation of European Bishops’ Conferences
Mary Teresa: The Vatican
Albanian Archbishop Angelo Massafra, head of the Social Pastoral Working Group of the Confederation of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), has criticized human activities as the main cause of the effects of climate change that the world is currently facing.
Archbishop Massafra of Shkodër-Pult, Albania, has called for an ecological change of mind, noting that human activities are the main cause of the current environmental crisis, in a message for the Christian season of Creation, which will begin on Thursday, September 1.
Time of creation
While the first day of September is also celebrated as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Archbishop Massafra said that together with Pope Francis, who is calling for the protection of our common home, the Earth, from destruction, the European Bishops will raise their voice for it.
In particular, Archbishop Massafra mentioned that the Pope has said that Christians are the speakers who must respond to the voice of the earth, through celebration, conversion and commitment to action, Christians must help to renew the relationship between human society, the Creator and creation.
Ecological degradation in Europe
Archbishop Massafra mentioned in his message that this year’s season of creation is characterized by the symbol of “burning thorn” (V.P. 3,1-12), and criticized that 97 percent of the ecological disaster facing the world, especially Europe, is due to human activities.
Archbishop Massafra pointed out the environmental damage caused by wars, especially the war in Ukraine, and said with concern that 5,17,881 hectares of land has been damaged by fire in the 27 countries of the European Union since the beginning of this year, and this amount is more than last year.
In Europe, 4,70,359 hectares were destroyed by fire last year.
The period of creation at Thiruvai is observed from September 1st to October 4th, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. All Christian congregations celebrate this event.