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Churches urged to play role in fight against mining

Divestment is a tool to keep companies in check, activists say
Churches urged to play role in fight against mining

Indigenous people from the Philippines join an international conference on mining that opened in Manila on July 30. (Photo by Joe Torres)

Published: July 30, 2015 10:02 AM GMT
Updated: July 29, 2015 11:35 PM GMT

Environmental activists attending an international mining conference in Manila are calling on church officials to play an important role in the fight against destructive mining.

"The church, especially the Catholic Church, has an important role ... especially in uniting people," said Clemente Bautista of the Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment.

Bautista, one of the organizers of the conference, said it would be "encouraging" if local churches divest their investments in the mining industry, especially after Pope Francis issued his encyclical, Laudato si'. 

"[Divesting the church's investments in mining] would be a concrete action consistent with their vow to protect the environment and to the teachings of Laudato si’," he said.

Bautista cited the example made by several Philippine dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Manila, which withdrew their investments in mining companies.

Some 200 residents of mining-affected communities, indigenous peoples, church workers, lawyers, legislators, artists, environmental activists and scientists from 28 different countries attended the International People's Conference on Mining that opened in Manila on July 30.

"My presence here is a blessing," said Philippine Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, who has been vocal in opposing mining and coal plant operations in his archdiocese.

The prelate, however, said it is "unfortunate" that while political leaders neglect the destruction brought about by mining, "the great majority of people either don't know enough or they don't care."

Arguelles said the church is "working hard to get the people's support" and described Laudato si’ as "a big vindication and a big help."

"Before Laudato si’, we felt alienated," he said, adding that even other bishops did not support his advocacy.

"Now I feel that the Holy Father and the whole church is behind me," he said.

Sacred Heart Fr Claude Mostowik, director of the Justice and Peace Center of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Australia, said this week's meeting in Manila "will put perspective to stories of people from communities affected by mining."

"The important thing is to hear the stories and relate them to the situation back home," he said.

Mostowik said many Australians have never heard how Australian mining companies were impacting the lives of people in countries like the Philippines.

"I was struck by the contrast between what the companies claim about human values and human rights and the protection of the environment, and you look at the affected communities and it's a mess," he told ucanews.com.

The conference this week comes on the heels of the recent pull-out of Anglo-Swiss mining firm Glencore, the biggest mining corporation in the world, from the Tampakan mining project in Mindanao.

"The meeting will be a stage for the celebration of such victories," said Bautista, adding that they aim to gather "inspiration and lessons from such successes."

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