Contemplate God in creation, Cardinal Turkson tells Christians
Creation is not an accident or a chance event. It is God’s plan for humankind. It is the purpose of God to keep us alive. God wants us to take care of what he created for us. If we look after creation, God will look after us.
The President of BLI, Fr Prof. Emmanuel Katongole (second-left), the administrator Fr Joseph Kakooza Nnyanzi (right), and other visiting environmental conservation promoters dancing in celebration of the commissioning of land caretakers at Bethany Land Institute Nandere, in Luweero district on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
By Mathias Mazinga
Journalists @New Vision
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Vatican Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appia Turkson, has asked Christians and all people of the world to acknowledge the presence of God in every created thing.
“Creation is not an accident or a chance event. It is God’s plan for humankind. It is the purpose of God to keep us alive. God wants us to take care of what he created for us. If we look after creation, God will look after us. God doesn’t expect us to destroy what he created because His intention is to keep us alive. God is full of love and kindness. He put Adam in the Garden of Eden and asked him to take care of it. So, let’s mind protecting mother earth, our common home. You cannot claim to be a believer in God and at the same time destroy what He created,” Cardinal Turkson said.
He was delivering his homily during the pontifical mass that he presided over at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Parish church, Nandere, in Luwero district on Friday, July 25, 2025.
The newly-commissioned land caretakers (donning a white and green sash over maroon attire) sharing a photo-moment with the Catholic clerics after their commissioning at Our Lady of Grace Nandere Catholic parish church, in Luweero district on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
During the mass, Turkson commissioned 18 land caretakers, who finished their two-year residential course in integral ecology (at Bethany Land Institute Nandere).
The Cardinal urged the newly-commissioned land caretakers to go back to their communities and put in action the mission and practices of BLI, that is, to take care of creation, to promote integral ecology and sustainable development.
Our belief in God entails our vision of His work. Be committed ambassadors of integral ecology in your communities and elsewhere in the country and the world. Fight poverty. Take care of creation. Promote integral development,” Cardinal Turkson said.
The mass was also graced by Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, Kasana-Luweero bishop Lawrence Mukasa, BLI president Fr Prof. Emmanuel Katongole, the administrator Fr Joseph Kakooza Nyanzi, the parish-priest of Nandere Fr Mathias Jooga, and several other priests.