ASIA/INDIA - Local Church in Goa committed to protect nature

Goa (Fides Service) - The Church in Goa is determined to help protect creation. “Priests, men and women Religious and lay Catholics are called to restore balance in relations between man and nature in Goa”: this call was launched by the local Church in Goa on the occasion of the recent World Environment Day. At the same time it proposed a series of suggestions and reflections on themes connected with Creation and how Christians are called to be a leaders in showing respect and love for nature as a gift of God. Goa diocese also announced a three day formation Seminar organised jointly with local NGOs and pro-environment associations to increase awareness and find a means of preventing widespread malaria, a long-standing ill afflicting Goa.
A statement issued by the Diocesan Social Action Service denounced that the process of turning farmland into building land is producing devastating effects of urbanisation and corruption. The statement also underlined the increasing pollution of rivers in the area, the Zuari and the Mandovi, a fact which causes series damage to flora and fauna, and to water supplies for home use and farming.
In the statement the Diocesan Social Action Service called on all Catholics, clergy, religious and laity, to become active protectors of the environment, organising programmes of formation, Seminars and campaigns to increase awareness and promote respect for nature also at the level of civil authorities.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2004 lines 25 words 285)