A reflection by Fr Michael O’Shea SMA: Quite often members of the Society of African Missions (SMA) have contributed to the Newsletter. Our Founder, a missionary bishop in Coimbatore, India, wrote the following in 1847:
“The clearing of the Forest might be a good thing … if it was done with intelligence and moderation. But it is heart-rending to see the reckless looting and devastation of the precious forest, allowed and positively promoted by a greedy [colonial] Government, with no precaution whatsoever for the future of these vast rich lands … The most valuable trees (like teak and cedar) are already almost wiped out … No effort whatever is being made to replace the felled giants.” [From his Memories of Twelve Years in India, p 775.]
Perhaps an element of our SMA charism is and should be, a heightened concern for the environment (as indeed it should be of great concern for all Earth’s dwellers). Since I last wrote something for the ECI Newsletter my circumstances have changed radically: from Zambia to Ireland, from being a rather fit self-reliant ‘old’ cyclist to being a rather dependent person after a bad fall from my bike. To dig I was able, to beg I was ashamed, now I cannot dig and often have to beg transport from others. Here in our retirement house I have joined an ecology group of about a dozen good men of average age about 80 – obviously ‘digging’ is not an option for most. Discussion, lobbying, support (for those who can dig and plant) and prayer are among our options but I would hate if environmental groups became only ‘talking shops’, zooming groups, ‘virtually’ working for the environment. Heartiest congratulations to all those young and old who aredoing something as well as talking.
Michael O’Shea SMA, Cork, September 2021