AMERICA/PERU '- Epidemics, premature deaths from high levels of contamination, environmental damage: the Seminar on natural resources and the Mission of the Church has concluded

Chaclacayo (Agenzia Fides) - At the end of the International Seminar held in Chaclacayo, Lima (Peru), from June 14 to 16, convened by the Department of Justice and Solidarity of the Latin American Episcopal Council (LAMEC), with the support of Misereor (see Fides 15 / 06/2011), on the theme of natural resources and the Mission of the Church, the participants developed a final document. Archbishops, Bishops, priests, religious, social workers, professionals and academics from 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Europe who took part in the work, in the final document examine the realities of the continent and consider this reality in the light of the Word of God and the Church's Social Doctrine, emphasizing that the gift of life and natural resources must be maintained by all generations.
"The Church cannot ignore the political, economic and environmental life of communities caused by mining projects, the work of mining and hydrocarbons, as they affect the poorest and people in need in the continent", says one of the conclusions, according to the statement sent to Fides by ECSA (Episcopal Commission for Social Action of Peru). "We find out with concern the resurgence of epidemics and diseases, premature deaths caused by high levels of contamination and the spread of environmental damage" can be read in the conclusions of the meeting.
Seminar participants are also concerned because in most Latin American countries "there is no effective prior consultation with the people (...), as established in Convention 169 of ILO (International Labour Organization) and the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People of the United Nations".
The spirituality of the missionary disciple of Jesus Christ, is sustained in the final text, is a commitment that renews and affirms the option for the poor, the first victims of the destructive effects of the economic model, and victims of natural disasters due to climate change. "Christians should participate in the promotion of environmental ethics, transformation and effectiveness (...) the Church has the task of strengthening the democratic system, so it respects the will of citizens. However, there are not always the conditions to meet the needs of the population", concludes the statement. (EC) (Agenzia Fides 20/06/2011)