Responsible care for natural environment: A solution towards ecological crisis in Aduku Parish – Lira Diocese in light of LAUDATO SI’

Abstract

The study was conducted to establish a thesis that responsible care for natural environment is a solution to curb the ecological crisis in Aduku Parish – Lira Diocese. The study was carried out in light of a ground-breaking encyclical on the environment known as Laudato Si’. The study particularly sought to show that the current ecological crisis in Aduku Parish is based on the fact that human beings have failed to carry out their God-given duty towards natural environment. The study was conducted through both qualitative and quantitative research paradigm, data being collected during the month of January 2018 from 150 respondents from various Christians of Aduku Parish using the questionnaire, interview and observation. The data was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study established that individuals in Aduku Parish really face the challenge of ecological crisis in the dimensions such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, food crisis and water crisis. Besides that, the study indicated that individuals in Aduku Parish know that human beings should care for natural environment in order to: guard against degradation of natural environment, transform and develop natural environment, and maintain enjoyment of the fruits of the earth. In addition to that, the study observed that to consolidate responsible care for natural environment in Aduku Parish, the following factors should be put into consideration: sensitizing people to abandon lifestyles that degrade the natural environment, alleviation of unemployment, population control and alleviation of poverty. The study further discovered that majority of the people of Aduku Parish are not aware of Laudato Si’ and yet it is a social encyclical addressed to not only members of the Church but to all humanity. The study concludes that responsible care for natural environment is indeed a necessary solution to curb the ecological crisis in Aduku Parish. It recommends that: the people of Aduku Parish should pay special attention to the current ecological crisis; the people of Aduku Parish should uphold the praxis of responsible care for natural environment; the praxis of responsible care for natural environment in Aduku Parish should be consolidated especially by the Church especially through ecological education; and by the government especially through good governance. A critical reading and popularisation of Laudato Si’ would help in the ecological education of the people.