Tanzania: The Catholic Church wants economic growth initiatives to respect the environment and human dignity

The Catholic church in Tanzania is calling for programmes and initiatives that are meant to promote social and economic growth in the country to respect the environment and the dignity of every citizen.

The call was made at recent two-day Symposium organized by Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) in collaboration with the University College of Stella Maris in Mtwara Diocese. The meeting was held on the theme: The contribution of social teaching of the Catholic Church in economic growth and social development.

Below is an article on the meeting by By Pascal Mwanache

The Catholic Church through her economic stakeholders have insisted that environmental protection, natural resources and the dignity of every citizen are key things in the determination of country’s economic growth.

This was discussed during the two days Symposium prepared by Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) in collaboration with the University College of Stella Maris in Mtwara Diocese under the theme: 'The contribution of social teaching of the Catholic Church in economic growth and social development,' which was attended by various economic stake holders from all over the country.

Bishop Gervas Nyaisonga of Mpanda Diocese, who was among the Guest Speakers said that economic growth must consider care for the environment, use of resources in respect to God's plan of creation as a priority.

"Productive economy and sustainable development, want us to think beyond ourselves, beyond our benefits and reflect about God's plan of creation” he said adding that “Otherwise, let us be prepared to pay a debt of damaging the ecosystem.”

He asked the development partners, economists and citizens in general to change their attitude towards the environment, and treat it as a brother or sister.

An Economists from the University of St. Augustine of Tanzania, Mwanza (SAUT), Ponsiano Mtui said that in most cases the economic growth forgets the vulnerable people of the society. This includes women, children and elderly people of the society. Economic growth should also consider environment degradation impact if one wants to get accurate data.

“When investors come, their activities often cause destruction to the environment but this destruction/damage in most cases isn’t included in the figure. This puts the credibility of the figures presented to public in question,” he said adding that "In reality the more our economy is growing higher, the more the damage it brings to the environment.”

He warned that economic growth issue to be taken as a sensitive issue for the protection of future generations.

The symposium was also attended by Bishop Titus Mdoe of the Catholic Diocese of Mtwara, Bishop Bruno Ngonyaji of Lindi diocese, Secretary General of Tanzania Episcopal Very Rev Raymond Saba, and Principle of Stella Maris College Mtwara Very Rev Fr Dr Charles Kitima .

(Source: AMECEA Blog)