Climate crisis moral and ecological emergency – African Bishops, Laudato Si’ Movement 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – African Catholic bishops and the Laudato Si’ Movement Africa have said that the “climate crisis is both a moral and ecological emergency”, urging world leaders and communities to act urgently to protect the continent’s future.

In a joint statement issued at the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) in Addis Ababa on 7 September, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and Laudato Si’ Movement Africa warned that Africa is bearing the heaviest consequences of climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.

They stressed that Africa must take charge of its own ecological destiny. “Africa must rise as a moral voice and agent of its own transformation. Justice, solidarity, and care for creation demand nothing less,” the statement said.

The two organisations called for decisive measures, including the phasing out of fossil fuels, scaling up renewable energy, and operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund as a matter of justice and solidarity.

The joint call came during the Season of Creation, a global Christian campaign running from 1 September to 4 October. A Holy Mass for the Care of Creation, organised alongside the summit, brought together Church leaders and environmental advocates to renew their commitment to safeguarding the planet.