AMERICA/ARGENTINA – Debate on the mining law, the Bishops ask respect for the environment

Comodoro Rivadavia (Agenzia Fides) - Respect for the environment, as it is part of creation, was confirmed by the Bishop of Comodoro Rivadavia, His Exc. Mgr. Joaquín Gimeno Lahoz, along with his Auxiliary Bishop, His Exc. Mgr. Fernando croxatto, and the Bishop of the prelature of Esquel, His Exc. Mgr. José Slaby. The Bishops were surprised and disappointed by the way the bill that concerns environment was discussed on November 25.
"We encourage and thank God for all men and women of the province who are struggling to build a people with a future of solidarity and fraternity" says the statement sent to Agenzia Fides.
Such a strong reaction on behalf of the community is also due to the spread of a photo of a deputy while he exchanges text messages with the representative of a mining enterprise during the debate on the law, which in practice would grant greater freedom of action to all mining companies, with serious consequences for the environment.
The Bishops, in their message, emphasize: "Nature is at our disposal, we can enjoy and make good use of it. But that does not mean that we are the owners. We are the safeguards. Often we let ourselves be guided by the arrogance of dominating, possessing, manipulating, exploiting; we do not safeguard it, we do not respect it, we do not consider it as a free gift that must be protected ... Respect towards environment means to make use of it. Respect for nature reminds us that man himself is a key part of it". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 28/11/2014)