The President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, has highlighted the importance of educating children on environmental conservation.
The call has been made earlier today, 02 August 2025, at the ongoing the National Children’s Congress at Don Bosco Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, where environmental education was the day’s focus.
According to Bishop Mtumbuka, this initiative is part of the response to a letter written by the late Pope Francis entitled “Laudato Si,” which urges the Church to take an active role in environmental stewardship.
“The late Pope emphasized care for creation. By involving children in activities like tree planting, we want to instill in them the importance of protecting nature, as they are the future leaders who will be most affected by climate change,” said His Lordship Mtumbuka.
On the matter of education, His Lordship expressed concern over the challenges children presented to them regarding accessing quality learning.
He stressed the need for government intervention and broader responsibility from all sectors to address this.
Bishop Mtumbuka affirmed the Catholic Church’s ongoing commitment to ensuring high-quality education for children nationwide.
In his remarks, Ruben Chifundo Nazombe, Acting Director of the Jesuit Center for Ecology and Development, commended MCCB through the organizing committee for also considering environmental education to children, during this Congress.
Nazombe emphasized that this is an ideal time to offer environmental education so that children grow up with a sense of responsibility for nature in their communities.
After completing their sessions, the children, guided by the bishops and leaders, planted trees as a practical application of what they had learned.
The congress continues at Don Bosco Parish, where children are being educated in both spiritual and social life.
Written by Titus Jata Phiri
Photo Credit: Edwin Sitima