Anglican Leaders hear the cry of the Small Island States
Bishop Mzamane Diocese of Mthatha (South Africa) and Esther Kazilimani Pale from Diocese of Lebombos (Mozambique) are among the leaders who are representing Africa at the Encountering God in the Storm Conference in Fiji
The Small Island States are at the forefront of climate change due to sea level rise. Fiji already has 676 villages at risk of flooding and being forced to consider relocating. This leads to economic impact as the salt water ruins farmlands, but also social devastation and ancestral lands are destroyed.
The Fiji conference “Encountering the storm” is looking at climate change in the different Anglican communion context. For most of the developing world, Africa, Asia South America (Brazil) deforestation is playing a huge role. Big business cutting down trees, farmers cutting down trees to clear agriculture land and charcoal burners. The conference is focusing on how the church can respond.
The consultation is being held in Fiji at the invitation of the Most Revd Dr Winston Halapua, who is Bishop of Polynesia and Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia.