EDITORIAL

From Laudato Si’ to Magnifica Humanitas

BY Fr Robert Kinena Ndungu MCCJ | Editor

FROM THE 26th to the 28th of June 2026, I was privileged to visit the Marian Shrine in Ngome with a few pilgrims from Holy Family Waterval, Diocese of Emalahleni. Of all the spiritual exercises that are performed at this shrine, one that attracts multitudes is the so-called “miracle” water. With this water, which emanates from a point where seven streams meet, pilgrims renew their baptismal promises and are doused with it in the early hours of the morning. Upon their departure, pilgrims carry this water home, as they believe it has healing powers.

The Worldwide issue of Dec-Jan 2023 explored the theme “Water”. In its editorial, the then editor, Fr Rafael, expressed a concern: “Due to over-exploitation and increasing demands, water, the pillar of life, has become a limited resource in many areas of the world. The survival of humanity depends on its preservation”. Fr Rafael presented a synthesis of the situation in South Africa, and three years down the line, when you read important journals and do some research, it is sad that very little has changed. While in some areas dry taps are a common phenomenon, in other areas pipes are leaking continuously, spilling significant amounts of this precious commodity, with no concern shown from the authorities. Last year, there was a huge leakage of water from the valve chamber in front of our parish main gate, rendering the whole area a small pool where cows gathered to drink. It took a couple of weeks to stop the leakage, not by the authorities, but by community members. It is most distressing to see these broken pipes and leakages, while many people from other areas are struggling daily to obtain a mere drop of this precious commodity.

The official theme for the Season of Creation 2026 (September 1-October 4) is “Living Water”, inspired by Ezekiel 47:9, 12. It emphasizes ecological restoration, spiritual renewal, stewardship of water resources, and climate justice, especially for those communities most affected by water scarcity and pollution. For this issue, it would be unnecessary to dwell on the theme of Water again. Instead, it is constructive to look back at the Dec-Jan 2023 issue of Worldwide, superimpose it on what is happening currently, and then map the way forward. Such a read is invaluable in celebrating the 2026 Season of Creation with the theme “Living Water”. Other elements of ecological consciousness have been elaborated on by our contributors through highly innovative lenses, without belittling the day-to-day initiatives to protect our mother earth as espoused by Pope Francis in Laudato Si’. Recently, Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (MH), dealing significantly with AI and human dignity. Yet, human dignity also encompasses areas of ecological consciousness. An attentive reading of this great encyclical provides insight into how AI and technology can facilitate better environmental stewardship rather than destruction.

This Season of Creation coincides with the 800th jubilee of the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment and the great ambassador of peace. It is not strictly about “Living Water”, but more about appreciating the life of St Francis, and the journey we have covered from the time Laudato Si’ was issued to the present. It is indeed a season to awaken once more our ecological consciousness and move on to do something, however small, to preserve the earth. It is a time to examine how humanity has been diminished by the “Babel Syndrome” (MH §101-103), but at the same time be inspired by ways and means to embrace “Nehemiah’s way” of rebuilding what we have destroyed (MH §118-120).