I guess it might look strange to find a post titled "lecture" and then see a photo of someone planting a tree. Unless, of course, you know the topic the lecture was about.
Two years' ago our diocese, through the Justice and Peace commission, decided to hold an annual lecture in memory of the third bishop of Manzini: Mandlenkhosi Zwane. He was bishop for just four years. He was very first local bishop and very passionate about social issues linked to the Gospel. In just a few years, he made a mark in the life of this diocese.
While that first lecture was on Bishop Zwane himself, we decided to hold the following ones on issues he would feel important for the life of the people of this country. That is why this year's topic was: "Care for our common home".
Though most probably this topic would not be in his mind at that time (he was bishop from 1976 to 1980), it is today and we believe he would have addressed it.
The event, held at Good Shepherd High School (Siteki), was not just about words but also small details that prepared us for the lecture:
- on the way from the Sport Ground to the School, people collected litter in a plastic bag;
- arriving at the Parish, a tree was planted;
- the entertainment moment by the Good Shepherd school made us wonder why we have litter bins empty and litter on the road;
- the young people called us to:
join hands together in taking care of our common home
Fr Bhekindlela Magongo from the Anglican Church, who was representing the Council of Swaziland Churches, reminded us that some have not yet recovered from the worse drought in history experienced a few years' ago. They might never recover and will therefore remain in deep poverty. That is why we cannot talk about economic justice unless we also talk about environmental justice.
The keynote address was given by Archbishop William Slattery OFM. He is, still, the archbishop of Pretoria (South Africa). Pope Francis has accepted his resignation and appointed his successor who will be installed during the month of June.
From the Bible and Laudato Si (Pope Francis' 2015 letter) to daily examples and stories, he helped us wonder what kind of a world our children will live in.
His 45 minute speech (40 Mb file) can be heard by clicking below.
Click below for photos of the event
(Flickr)
