Fiji Council of Churches (FCC) Nabukalou Creek Suva Clean Up
“This is ecology in action! Today we show the world that we care for creation not by our words but through our actions.” This was Archbishop Peter Loy Chong’s, President of the FCC message to the 100 youths who took part in the Fiji Council of Churches Nabukalou Creek Clean up, which is part of the 2023 Season of Creation Celebration.
The 2023 Season of Creation Theme is: “Let Justice Flow like a River”. The cleaning of the Nabukalou Creek in Suva is a testament to the theme as it calls for justice to creation.
FCC General Secretary Rev Simione Tugi says today’s event is a reminder of our spiritual and moral responsibility which is stated in the book of Genesis where the Lord God gave us Man Dominion over all creation. Taking dominion of creation calls us not just to own and enjoy creation but to protect it and preserve it.
Rev Tugi adds that the involvement of the youth was to inspire the youths to this great spiritual calling as they are the future of the church and society.
With so many youths eager to partake in the event the FCC could only enlist 100 youths as per the condition of the permit provided by the authorities. Today’s participants were youths from the Archdiocese of Suva (Fiji Catholic Church), the Salvation Army, the Anglican Church (Diocese of Polynesia), the FCC board members, reps from FCC member churches and a few religious organizations (Pacific Conference of Churches, Columbans Fiji and FOKOLARE).
Rev James Bhagwan- General Secretary of the Pacific Conference
For many of the participants today’s clean up campaign has been a unique and empowering experience, Nathan a youth from the Salvation Army says their experience today has taught them the importance of properly disposing of one’s rubbish. He says proper disposal of rubbish goes a long way in terms of caring for creation.
Nathan- Salvation Army
Luke Tukana from the Anglican church said that they were privileged to have been invited to clean up an iconic creek in the heart of the capital. He stills remembers Nabukalou Creek as one of the major attractions of the Capital City. He adds that today’s combined effort is a great initiative especially when confronting a social and ecological problem such as caring for creation.
Luke Tukana- Anglican Church (Diocese of Polynesia Fiji)
After today’s clean up Jerome from the Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in the Archdiocese of Suva is calling on people to take ownership of creation and not to litter, he adds that we should treat the environment like how we treat our homes.
Jerome- Saint Joseph the Worker Parish Tamavua (Archdiocese of Suva)
The Season of Creation is celebrated from the 1st of September and concludes on the 4th of October the feast day of Saint Francis of Asisi who is regarded by many as the first eco warrior.
