The Diocese of Kerry’s Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee held a Mission Month webinar on 20th October in which Columban missionary Fr Liam O’Callaghan spoke from Pakistan about the recent flooding disaster and the impact of the climate crisis.
The aim of the webinar was to create awareness around Mission. The opening prayer and song was provided by the pupils of St Oliver’s Primary School, Killarney.
Against the backdrop of the inflation hikes and electricity shortages in Ireland, the webinar focused attention on the poverty stricken countries of the world and those who dedicate their lives to working with the poor, focusing on education, health and dialogue between faith groups, in the hope of peace and justice. The Diocese of Kerry described Fr Liam as one of these.
Extreme heat earlier this year in Pakistan was followed by severe monsoon floods, which left one third of Pakistan under water. Compounding this crisis is the negative impact of climate change, to which richer countries, Ireland included, have contributed.
Fr Liam spoke about the widespread devastation to the agricultural sector, especially in southern parts of Pakistan where he is based.
Villages were washed away leaving around 3.4 million children in need of assistance and at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition. The situation is still critical in the worst affected areas due to the flooding from the overflowing River Indus and Lake Manchhar. The Sindh Government has declared 23 out of 29 districts as calamity-hit areas.
Fr Liam coordinates the Columbans’ Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation group in Pakistan.
The theme for Mission Month is: You will be my witnesses. Mission Sunday was celebrated around the world on 23rd October 2022.
Missio coordinates activities in relation to Missions worldwide. Missio Ireland is the Irish branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies. They are the Pope’s official charity for overseas mission. Wherever the Church is present, Missio is there, meaning they reach out across five continents to support over 1,100 mission dioceses.
You can read more about the situation in Pakistan in this article by Fr Liam here: https://columbans.ie/the-situation-is-still-critical-fr-liam-ocallaghan-in-pakistan/
Watch the webinar here: