Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at the Vatican, has highlighted the urgent need to address the reckless human activities that have devastated the environment, which he refers to as “Mother Earth.”
Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, Cardinal Turkson described Mother Earth as a garden of “roses,” created for humanity to protect rather than abandon to wilderness.
He emphasized that this Earth is a precious heritage entrusted to every human being, to be loved, cherished, and safeguarded with great care.
Speaking to a congregation of over 200 delegates, Cardinal Turkson explained the seven goals of Laudato Si’, also known as the “7Cs.”
These goals include responding to both the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, promoting ecological economics, adopting sustainable lifestyles, fostering ecological education and spirituality, and empowering communities to build resilience.
Together, these aims provide a comprehensive framework for individuals and institutions to pursue integral ecology and effectively address the intertwined crises of environmental degradation and social inequality.
Furthermore, Cardinal Turkson cautioned African countries to remain vigilant against short-term economic gains that often come at the expense of the environment, warning that some investors leave Mother Earth damaged beyond repair.
By Francis Jjunju
23rd July 2025
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