“Destroying the planet is against our religions”

In line with COP26, Laudato Si Generation members in Kenya, through the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPIC-Franciscans Africa) managed to create space for interfaith leaders and youths who did not get a chance to attend the Glasgow conference in the Uk, for them to get chance to stand in solidarity with all stakeholders who were part of Glasgow conference and also by raising the concerns and recommendations of voiceless people from grassroots. As we joined Pope Francis with other global faiths leaders who met on 4th October 2021 for

“ Faith and science towards COP26”, we organized two major events at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi- Kenya: An interfaith Prayer Day and Faith Art Climate workshop.

1. Interfaith Green Prayer Day Event

Prior to COP 26 on Sunday 17 October 2021, members of the Laudato Si Generation in Nairobi together with religious communities, CUEA students, and guests from different faiths gathered for climate action. It started with a Catholic Eucharistic Mass celebration inside of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa. During Mass, Faiths leaders Guest was warmly welcomed and was given enough time to address the congregation on matters related to climate issues globally and locally, the role and power of people of faith in influencing effective solution, and they appealed Kenyan Government and major financial institutions to take in consideration the demands from Faith leaders in regards with COP26. The Catholic University of Eastern Africa has a strong motivation to be the host of such climate actions, just remind that it was the first Kenyan Catholic institution if not in the whole Eastern Africa to declare divestment on 18th May 2020 through the Laudato Si Movement, GCCM at the time.

The key massages of the day were: Destroying the planet is against our religions and demand was an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects, deforestation, and related financing, a massive commitment to green jobs to reduce climate pollution and end poverty for millions, reparations from wealthy countries to equip vulnerable nations for a better future of Kenya.

After Mass, the faith leaders addressed a Press communique through Capuchin TV and sent a message articulated on our demand to the World leaders who attended COP26 and Kenya Government for a just and sustainable future.

The capuchin TV covered the whole event https://youtu.be/bFsDqvjIQ7g and watch the short video here

We twitted the event under hashtag #Faith4Climate, from the Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa the Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua and we tagged all partners 

https://twitter.com/VcCuea/status/1450079978654154758?s=08 find here  Pictures of the Event.

2. Faith Art Climate Workshop

                                                                                                                        “ People to the front ”

On 5th Nov 2021, as the global conference was still going on we decided to remind leaders in Glasgow that we are watching them. The youth raised loudly the voices of the people emphasizing that in all discussions that took place in Glasgow conference leaders should put people to the front.  As the first event was meant for religious leaders, this one gave space to youth from different faiths to send their voice to leaders gathered in COP26.

On that day, youth spoke through art painting and drawing as well as a live concert with songs and poems. Find here link to the video of the day

Guests and stakeholders reiterated the need of our governments, major financial institutions, and church institutions to stop putting money in any fossil fuel project and invest in clean energy.

There was a live streaming of the event on Twitter with key messages and art pieces of which tagged the COP26 and partners around Kenya and the whole world. The power of art stands in hands of youth and they demonstrated that as all pledged the end of any new fossil fuel projects, so as to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

We are convinced that climate change is a moral and spiritual challenge, therefore we remain together in prayer and solidarity for a just transition from Fossil fuel finance towards clean energy investment.

Here is the link to the photos of the day

We appreciate the support from our partners 350.org, Green Faith International Network, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Harmony Institute, and Mother Earth Network. Our gratitude goes to our guests and partners from the Laudato Si Movement African office, Muslim community from the host university, G75 Green Faith circle, Interfaith youth from Mount Kenya University, Franciscans OFM Conventual brothers, Franciscans Missionaries of Mary sisters, the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Hare Krishna Temple, Bahai Temple, Green Anglican, Youth Network for Interreligious Brotherhood and Capuchin TV.

The interfaith youth platform in Nairobi led by the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa, joined the Fridays for Future movement on 25 Sept 2020 by a virtual event.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of schools, it was impossible to gather thousands of students that we engage with in various schools. The green festival was organized in line with our annual interfaith youth forum on peace and environment, also inline with global climate strike. It was meant to creating an online space for children for them to express their opinion of the issue of Coal mining in Kenya (Kitui and Lamu) as well as the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (Uganda and Tanzania).

Two experts: Sheikh Muhamad Khan from international Inter-religious Association of Peace and Development was there to give information and updates to children on the danger caused by the coal project in Kitui and Lamu; and Prince Papa from the Global Catholic Climate Movement Africa chapter elaborated on the local and regional risks related to EACOP.

Children from different schools, different faiths plus religious people took the online stage performing with various items for climate advocacy. We can mention few items like: the famous

poem of Sister Jacinta Mwende, the song of Anne Wambui, the spoken word by Allan Kariuki from Global Hope Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, motivational speech by Sarah Khan etc.

        Some key messages of the day

All participants had carried placards on which were written key messages of the day: a just recovery, resistance and vigilance, no to fossil fuel, stop EACOP, yes for renewable energy, support young leaders in climate action , Decoalnize Kenya etc.

We got time to raise our messages and shout slogans, we also got time to light candles in solidarity with all children who were taking action around the world. The lighting candles meant also our solidarity with all victims of climate crisis and Covid-19.

At the end , the Song Afrika Vuka https://youtu.be/pQrqxcZDzf8 was launched officially  and all participants celebrated the day by dancing the song which has also the message of no fossil fuels and advocating for a just recovery. Watch the livestreamed event  https://youtu.be/i1EFENwqjgc, and here the uploaded version https://youtu.be/UUEq0X4skho.

Find here also some pictures of the event here Interfaith Green Festival Pictures.

Among participants, we had some from Tanzania and Uganda. Two children homes that have been very active in advocating for climate justice were present and the boys represented their respective schools, Global Hope Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Ngong Township primary school, Ngong Township secondary schools, Nakeel Boys, Olooluwa primary school, Olooluwa secondary school) . The children from Mary Immaculate Rehabilitation Center represented schools like (St. Michael’s Secondary school, St. Catherine’s primary school, St Peter and Paul school in Embu, Mangu High school, Mbakkini secondary school. Others were schools of Mercy (Ngarariga Secondary school, Huruma Girls, Our Lady of Mercy Girls Shauri Moyo, Harmony Institute, Young Mercy Ecology, Hare Chrisna Temple, Younnib,  Franciscan Youth in Mulogoro TZ, Bright Doves of St Francis of Assisi in Uganda, Sisters of Mercy, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Interfaith Health Network Initiative from New York/US, a Young Muslim representative from Minnesota /US and Little Sisters of St Joseph and others.

The event was live on JPICFA YouTube channel and GCCM Africa Facebook page, as well as twitter #FaithAction_KE#JustRecovery#AfrikaVuka.

Note: Some students who were to present failed to join in the Webinar due to technical problems

The event started 4.10 and ended at 6.20 pm. Live participants 103 including YouTube and Facebook page. To make this event possible, we say thank you to all organizers and students from various school, especially 350 Africa for supporting us financially and technically.

Sustainability and way forward

Despite that we can not reach out to all students we have been engaging with, at least we got a number of high school students who are ready to keep movement. Schools Managers and parents are also willing to release children for this noble cause.

Thanks to  

Steeven Kezamutima

JPICFA-Program Manager

Below are the messages used by participants on their placards.

Church leaders invited Christians to celebrate the Season of Creation

JPIC FRANCISCANS AFRICA  joined Christians across the globe in prayer and action for the environment 

Against a backdrop of multiple crises, Christian leaders are focusing on caring for the environment as a way to heal divisions and build a more healthy community. 

JPIC Franciscans Africa and Franciscan Family Kenya Association lead activities to care for the environment during the Season of Creation, a season of prayer and action for creation that was celebrated by Christians around the world.

It was a strong statement of support for environmental protection and gave hope to many. JPIC Franciscans Africa knows that environmental destruction ultimately harms people and vulnerable people above all. 

By healing the planet that provides for us, they hope to encourage a culture of prudence and responsibility. This kind of activity unites the people across Africa to care for each other and the home we share. 

For decades, Christians across the globe have reconciled with our Creator during the annual Season of Creation. Church leaders from Pope Francis to the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew have invited the world’s Christians to participate in this transformative celebration. The season runs from 1 September through 4 October each year.

The theme of repairing the bonds with all of creation was especially pertinent in the year 2020, as the world continues to endure both the coronavirus pandemic and the worsening climate emergency.

More information about the Season of Creation can be found at SeasonOfCreation.org.

 The JPIC FA and Franciscan family organized an event to launch the season of creation on 5th September at the PORTIUNCULA CENTRE in NAIROBI. 

 The Theme was: FRANCISCANS ENJOY THE SEASON OF CREATION

His Excellency the NUNCIO blessed the event with his presence as the main celebrant in the Holy Mass at 10 am and the Capuchin TV broadcasted the celebration.

Prof Dr. Stephan Mbugwa the Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa also honoured the event with his participation.

FRANCISCAN FAMILY DAY - Franciscans Enjoy Season Of Creation

Launching of Season of Creation by Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen, Nuncio in Kenya

 Thank you for Joining the Season of Creation

Read more: DAY OF AFRICAN CHILD CELEBRATION , 16th June 2020

Everything Is Connected.

Laudato Si Week Celebration.

During Laudato Si week JPICFA  invited the public to an online Zoom event, on  22nd May 2020  at 4.00 PM, Nairobi time. Many special guests Attended, one of them on the poster. There was an exhibition session of photos and success stories of what we've been doing together. We had also entertainment by our CUEA Band.

welcome on Twitter: FaithAction_KE