Introduction
The impact of climate change is undeniable. Consider the historic and devastating floods that have ravaged cities around the world, claiming an increasing number of casualties, lowering the current standards of living for those on the peripheries. The daily downpour in some parts of our world is escalating the feelings of uncertainty, fear, pain, frustration, and hopelessness among victims. Water dams are overflowing, heightening the worsening condition of floods, leading to loss of lives, displacement of habitat, critical shortages of food, and destruction of infrastructures, roads, and bridges. Livestock and wildlife have been killed, children are out of school, affected communities have lost their sources of livelihood, medical centers are closed, and survivors have become internally displaced.
Call to Prayer
O God, authentic development includes efforts to bring about an integral improvement in the quality of human life, and this entails considering the setting in which people live their lives. These settings influence the way we think, feel, and act. Help us to express our identity by responding to environmental limitations in a way that is sustainable through our human actions. We make this prayer through our brother, Jesus Christ, who is the source of life and all that is good. Amen.
Experience
There has been an alarming rate of deforestation and timber logging going on in Sierra Leone in the last few years. The trees are sold for economic benefit, whilst some are used as a source of charcoal or firewood for cooking, especially for low-income households. The rapid forest loss negatively impacts agricultural production and our rich cultural heritage. There is wildlife going extinct and a noticeable change in weather patterns. The cold beautiful weather has been replaced with extreme heat. This excessive heat continues to increase year after year, and the effect is greatly felt among the most vulnerable and the farming communities whose source of livelihood has been destroyed. As a result, many have migrated from the rural villages to the cities, and are now building along the waterway, and swamps, causing the city to get flooded during the rains.
A young woman in her early 40s recently shared with me about her aged mother, who lives in Bumbuna, about 30 miles away from the district capital in Sierra Leone, West Africa, who has become internally displaced because of flooding. It is quite worrying and disturbing. The old woman, Mama Kumba, found herself soaked in her bedroom in the middle of the night. “Where am I?” she questioned, hoping it was a nightmare. When Mama Kumba struggled to gain consciousness from her deep sleep, a sad reality dawned on her as one side of the building had fallen, ushering in water from the heavy rainfall. Her belongings were all floating in the water, and Mama Kumba burst into tears, calling on neighbors who came to her immediate rescue. Mama Kumba, at her advanced age, is now homeless.
Our sisters living and serving in Bumbuna (SSND is the only religious community in the locality) continue to witness to hope and solidarity amid adversity. Their physical presence is a sure hope for the people as they seek creative ways to navigate through the current unprecedented crisis of floods and have been trapped with no access road. One can only imagine the situation in moments of crises and medical emergencies since there is no hospital in Bumbuna and one would have to travel about 50 miles to access medical care on a road network that is in a state of disrepair plagued by potholes, water, and poor draining systems.
Reflection
Compelled by the urgent crises of our time such as floods, we are present with people at the peripheries and longing for the oneness of all in God, collaborate to be credible witnesses of universal communion as we examine our personal and communal lifestyle to end all forms of discrimination, inequity, violence, and devastating effects of climate degradation. (The Call of the 25th General Chapter)
In his May 2024 audience with the global experts and leaders who convened for the Vatican Climate Summit, Pope Francis lamented the worsening data regarding climate change, calling for urgent action “to protect people and nature”. He further questioned political leaders from various nations whether “we are working for a culture of life or a culture of death”. The destruction of our common home – the earth, is a structural sin that threatens all people. Each day, we continue to experience systemic challenges that are distinct yet interconnected, namely drought leading to food insecurity, deforestation, and loss of wildlife and water bodies. We also joggle around inappropriate disposal of waste, especially in developing countries, and gender disparities. These issues need urgent and collective effort to safeguard the world’s poor, especially the most vulnerable, women, children, and the aged. (Pope Francis’ Address: Vatican Climate Summit)
Action
Identify Challenges – As you joggle through these issues and reflect on these experiences, what is the biggest challenge for you?
Build Resilience – How can we build resilience as an SSND community against such occurrences in the future in our local settings?
Collaborate with Others – What active measures should be taken from the grassroots as you collaborate with others?
Closing Prayer
God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money so that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. Help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your kingdom of justice, peace, love, and beauty. Amen.
(Extracted from “A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation”, Laudato Si’).
Prepared by Sr. Magdalene Philip Umoh from the Province of Africa, for the International Shalom Network.
Graphic taken from 25th General Chapter design by Joyelle Proot, SSND CP
