[Article] The cry of Mother Earth: Impacts of climate change and the position of the Catholic Church

One of the major questions one needs to ask in addressing the urgent need to respond to the impact of climate change is what can we do as individuals or as a community to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptability? Climate change presents an existential threat to vulnerable communities worldwide, disproportionately affecting those with limited resources and capacity to adapt.

The impacts of climate change are mainly caused by human activity (IPCC 2018). Some climate change impact such as rising of temperature and changes in precipitation pattern can cause drought and reduce agricultural productivity. Similarly, Amoako et al. (2021) highlighted the intensification of extreme weather events such as floods and storms, which have adverse effects on infrastructure, livelihoods, and human well-being.

Our case study explored the impacts of climate change on Manso Datano, a rural community in the Ashanti Region in Ghana and the role of the Catholic Church in advocating for climate change action and environment justice.

The impacts of climate change on the local community and the critical role played by the Catholic Church in responding to these challenges are crucial due to what commonly known as ‘galamsey’, a term used to describe the illegal or unregulated artisanal gold mining. Ultimately, the cry of Mother Earth resonates not only as a call to action but as a testament to the resilience and determination of communities like Manso Datano in the face of adversity.

The environment stewardship is a fundamental concept with the teachings of the Catholic Church, emphasizing the responsibility of humans to care for the Earth, protect the environment and preserve God’s creation (Pope Francis, 2015). At the centre of the Catholic Church’s environmental teachings is the belief that the Earth is a gift from God, and humans have a sacred duty to be responsible stewards of this gift.

Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si: On care for our common home” provides a comprehensive exploration of the Church’s stance on environmental stewardship. The encyclical emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creation and calls for an integral ecology that recognizes the intrinsic value of every creature and the need for sustainable development (Pope Francis, 2015).

The Catholic Church has been actively engaged in addressing climate change impacts through various initiatives, actions and campaigns (Veldman et al., 2013). One of the key areas of focus for the Catholic Church is advocacy for climate justice.

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As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, the Church’s advocacy for a just sustainable world serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to care for creation and protect the most vulnerable amongst us. Let us take care of our environment and our environment, in turn, will take care of us.

The writer, Rev. Fr. Francis Tayee Boley, SMA is the Parochial Vicar of the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Ashaley Botwe in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Ghana. He holds a Master of Science degree in Climate Change and Sustainable Development from the University of Ghana.