The International JPIC Commission of the Order organized a seminar on Climate change in Harare, Zimbabwe, for our African Carmelite students (friars and sisters) between July 25 and 29, 2010. There was a good Carmelite representation. Fr. Eduardo Agosta Scarel (Cast) from Argentina spoke about the scientific basis of climate change and gave some clues on contemplative ecology. Fr. Boniface Kimondolo (Cat) from Kenya talked about the pastoral aspects of climate change in Africa. The seminar proved to be an eye opener to those who attended since the issue of climate change is still a big challenge in Africa. As a follow up of it the participants came forward with practical and concrete action plans in dealing with environmental issues. The participants visited many Carmelite communities of friars and sisters in Zimbabwe as part of the seminar.
Many thanks to those who were behind such a seminar and especially the Prior General and Fr. Albertus Herwanta, Fr. Désiré Unen Alimange, Fr. Boby Sebastian (Ind) as well as Fr. Martin Kilmurray, the Prior Provincial of Ireland, and Commissary Provincial of Zimbabwe Fr. Simplisio Manyika and his commissariat for making the seminar a success.