“How Beautiful is God’s Creation”

Archbishop Denis Hurley*

Pastoral Letter of the KwaZulu-Natal Church Leaders’ Group for World Environment Day, 5 June 2004

We live in a Province of great natural beauty and wide cultural diversity.  In celebrating World Environment Day on 5 June 2004 we give thanks to God for our natural environment and for the legislation we now have that protects the environment.

Environmental degradation and its effects

• However, we see growing signs of environmental degradation:

•  The loss of precious topsoil which hampers food production;

•  Many people living in unhealthy conditions, with lack of access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation;

• Industrial air pollution causing respiratory and other life-threatening diseases, particularly evident in the South Durban area;

• Dwindling indigenous forests, particularly on our coast;

• Destruction of the habitats of other species of flora and fauna;

• Changing weather patterns, accompanied by both floods and droughts.

And it is those who are poor who suffer most from the effects of the destruction of the environment. 

Why is the environment being threatened?

While some people are genuinely unaware of their own impact on the environment others are unconcerned.

We acknowledge that the political violence that has torn our Province apart in the past has left deep scars on our people and the land itself.  The struggle for power, human greed and selfishness continue to destroy much of our natural heritage.  We recognize too that economic policies perpetuate the unequal distribution and ownership of natural resources and contribute to environmental destruction.

The response of the church

Our biblical heritage and theological traditions, our belief in God as creator and Jesus as redeemer of all life awaken us to our environmental responsibility.  In rediscovering that  care for the earth is central to our gospel message we are moved to a deep respect for the integrity of creation and all forms of life and a firm commitment to ensure the full human development of all people according to their inherent human dignity.  As human beings it is important that we view ourselves as integral to the community of life.  Our very survival depends on maintaining a healthy environment and protecting the biodiversity that maintains our ecosystem. 

The need for environmental justice

During the apartheid years our prophetic voice was raised in support of the struggle for freedom.  Now our struggle is also to liberate all of creation: to nurture and foster life and to resist the many forces that threaten it.  In responding to the cry of those who are poor we must not be deaf to the cry of the earth.

With the high rate of HIV and AIDS in our Province now more than ever we need to promote a  healthy environment, to enable the production of nutritious food to ensure food security for all.   We have grave fears about the introduction of genetically engineered crops in our Province in terms of their safety for human consumption as well as their effects on the rest of creation, including the ability to grow healthy food crops.

Our mission of healing and reconciliation must include cleaning our polluted rivers, purifying the polluted air, and challenging the spirit of  greed that seeks to dominate and threatens to destroy  all that God has made.   We need to ensure that the gifts of God are distributed justly. We recognize land as one of these gifts that has been entrusted to our care and responsible use.   

Steps the church can take

As we observe World Environment Day there is much we can do to celebrate our environment and prevent its destruction.  This  includes:

·        encouraging an appreciation and enjoyment of creation

• including environmental concerns in the celebration of our liturgy
• incorporating biblical teaching on the environment in our church education programmes

·        conserving precious resources like water and promoting the reuse and recycling of resources generally

• encouraging the planting of indigenous trees and other indigenous vegetation
• ensuring responsible use of land, particularly our church land
• encouraging our congregations to read about and discuss local environmental issues
• collaborating with local environmental organisations that share this quest.

We are committed to taking our Christian responsibility towards the environment seriously and encourage you to do the same.

Endorsed by: Bishop Mansuet Biyase Roman Catholic Diocese of Eshowe ·  Bishop Lymon Dlangalala ·  Natal West District - Methodist Church of Southern Africa ·  Bishop Mlungisi Pius Dlungwane  ·  Roman Catholic Diocese of Mariannhill  ·   Dean Dino Gabriel, Anglican Diocese of Zululand ·  Ms Thudiso Gcabashe, Honorary Life Vice-President - South African Council of Churches ·  Pastor Colin La Foy,  Secretary General, Southern Africa - Assemblies of God ·  Major Timothy Mabaso, Divisional Commander, Mid KwaZulu-Natal - Salvation Army ·  Bishop Purity Malinga, Natal Coastal District - Methodist Church of Southern Africa  ·  Bishop Funginkosi Mbhele, Bishop Suffragan - Anglican Diocese of Natal ·  Pastor Martin McCrory, Team Leader - OneCup Transformation ·  Ds Lukas Meyer, Moderator - Synod of NG Kerk van Natal  ·  Rev Simphiwe Mkhize, Chairperson, KwaZulu-Natal Regional Council - United Congregational Church of Southern Africa  ·  Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Durban, President - Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference ·  Rev Robin Palmer, Moderator, Thekwini Presbytery - Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa ·  Bishop Rubin Phillip, Anglican Diocese of Natal · Rev Victor Pillay, Moderator (Acting) -  Reformed Church in Africa, ·  Bishop Michael Paschal  Rowland OFM, Roman Catholic Diocese of Dundee ·  Pastor Saul, Chairperson, KwaZulu-Nata -  Assemlies of God ·  Bishop Louis Sibiya, South Eastern Diocese -  Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa,  Presiding Bishop -  Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa  ·  Bishop Elijah Thwala, Bishop Suffragan -  Anglican Diocese of Natal.