The second plenary assembly of the Madagascar Bishops' Conference took place in Ambatoroka from 07 to 15 November 2019. The bishops addressed the topic of protecting the "common house" that Pope Francis urged during his apostolic visit to Madagascar. 

At the end of the meeting, they gave a message to all Christians and to people of goodwill to safeguard the environment, life and human rights as well as the Christian faith. Here is the full message, entitled:

"Hoping against hope, he believed" (Rom 4,18)

Peace be with you!
We give thanks to the Triune God, because the Apostolic Visit among us of Pope Francis, our Father, took place in the best conditions; and it is a joy for us, your bishops, to share here the precious spiritual richness contained in all the messages he has transmitted to us.
He recognized the importance of our ancestral values, namely Fihavanana, which allows us to deepen the goal he seeks to achieve as the leader of the universal Church: "Preserve the common house", especially ours, here in Madagascar.

1.- To preserve the environment

Our island, Madagascar, is beautiful and wonderful. Blessed of God, it is rich in natural mineral, terrestrial and marine resources. Its climate is still bearable for most. In the countryside, the air is pure and invigorating. Pope Francis was amazed by the beauty and natural resources that we find here, and added that they value the "Malagasy soul".

So what is really our current situation?

It's as if the relationship with nature does not concern us in any way. Bushfires are permanent; Obviously, the destruction of earthly and mineral wealth is irreversible. It's no longer control, it's aggression. As a result, the climate is deteriorating, water is becoming scarce. The spectacle of the destruction of our environment amazes most people who come from abroad. The numerous animal and plant biodiversity is in danger of extinction because of its illegal exploitation and illegal export. All of us must recognize that our environment is destroyed.

What are the solutions?

A radical change in behavior is imperative. We must value the environment as much as the apple of our eye, especially with what remains, for the development of our humanity and for all humanity. That these are not words that surprise, but that they are put into practice and experienced by everyone.
We must push as soon as possible to the commitment of all in the reforestation and preservation of all creatures. It has already been announced a national day of reforestation. All must participate. It is important that everyone takes part. "The work of the rice field can only be done if we get together," together, all citizens, men, and women, because unity is a strength.
The Pope said this to priests and consecrated persons: "they are also signs of your victory when you plant a tree, or when you help provide clean drinking water for a family". He strongly insisted on this point, in the state palace of Iavoloha, with the leaders: "there can not be a real ecological approach nor a concrete work of safeguarding the environment, without the integration of a justice which grants the right to the common destination of the goods of the land to the present generations, but also future ones ".
And we say that the time has come to change the current slogan: "who burns the forest, burns the homeland", replacing it with: "who burns the forest kills his offspring, and who plants trees transmits life".

2.-Preserve human life and human rights Malagasy,

preserve "your identity".

Pope Francis has realized that the Malagasy people have their own identity: smiling, open to others, hospitable. He recalled that, in the Preamble of the Constitution of the Malagasy Republic, this Fihavanana, which indicates our value par excellence, is clearly inscribed, which evokes the spirit of sharing, mutual aid and solidarity. It also includes the importance of the links between kinship, bonds of friendship and bonds of kindness with one's fellow man and with nature.

Since the independence recovered, the Malagasy wished to have the order and the peace. That our land is happy, says the national anthem, and that it progresses in a democratic alternation without problems, which testifies to the respect of the complementarity of the ways of managing and the different projects. And this proves that "politics is a fundamental means to promote citizenship and human projects" (Message for the 52nd World Day of Peace, January 1, 2019).

So why this current degradation of the Malagasy environment?

The habitat is deplorable, in the bush families are piling up in huts. In many places, food and drinking water are not enough. We do not take care of after the elderly as we should, retirement pensions do not arrive on time. The poverty of the poor little people is getting worse. And why are we not succeeding in eradicating corruption, against which we have been so strongly fighting for so long? There is no longer any fear of God in the heads of Justice, Domains, Customs and Health Centers ... Certainly, the fanahy maha-olona (what makes us humans) will die, if things go on like this. Our values ​​are disappearing. This corruption leads to death, and certainly not to the expected peace.

As we can see, the spirit of personal appropriation still prevails in many workplaces. These officials, these teachers in their schools, many do not understand the importance of their function. Madagascar is too damaged, note tourists from abroad. There are even some who dare to say that "there is no hope."

What is the solution?

the urgency is in the restoration of true Malagasy values. Their rights and duties must be restored to all men and all men to build a dignified environment. At the State Palace of Iavoloha, Pope Francis said: "Mr. President, you spoke passionately, you spoke with love of your people. I thank you for your testimony of patriot.

Thus, education and work within the family must be closely monitored, in accordance with the teaching that the Pope passed on to children in Akamasoa. The links between family members, neighborhood and nature are of great importance. Therefore, the structure and content of education must be closely examined to achieve this goal, because these are elements that build the "fanahy maha-olona".

The developed man is able to develop others. The development of Madagascar needs skills that are both clear-sighted, wise and exemplary. May those who have completed their studies be sent everywhere on the island, and that they don't just congregate in the same place or in the capital. Only solidarity will enable us to achieve common goals. We have seen it even in the victories of the Malagasy national team (the Barea) in Egypt, so much the Malagasy people are able to get along. This was confirmed during this visit by the Pope. "Malagasy, keep your identity! "

3- Preserve the totality of the Christian faith

Among the characteristics of the Malagasy are the affirmation of the existence of God and the fear of God. "Do not consider the silence of the valley, but God above your head," says the proverb. It is God, says the Holy Father, who has made the Malagasy have the courage to always resist, faced with difficulties of all kinds, to preserve their "life". It is he who gives them this "spirit" and these characteristics that distinguish them as Malagasy.

The efforts initiated by the missionaries formed to this faith. In the same way, the tests endured in history by the Laity and the Religious to make relentlessly live the strength of the Word of God. They have been proclaimed blessed today, and the fruits they bear are continually increasing the number of Christians, Catholics or Protestants.

What about today ?

There are still many who hesitate and whose heart is not totally attached to the Christian faith. They do not dare to take responsibility. There are some who are divided, being both Christians and practicing sampy (traditional religion). they betray their baptismal vows. But on the other hand, poverty aggravates things: many men and women, young people, children, who suffer and have absolutely nothing to them. Many Malagasy people live in difficult conditions, where daily needs are lacking such as food, water, a house, electricity, roads, medical care, schools, means of communication ... Many are the ones who carry on their shoulders the burden of politics without finding any profit. In short: the struggle for life is probably too hard so that we forget the prayer, we forget the Creator.

What, then, can we do to greatly increase perseverance in faith?

Being a Christian implies sacred duties. May we know how to share; to renounce a closed mentality, selfishness full of pride, to make triumph the mentality of the parents who are really in the true.

The pope made a solemn appeal to the state palace of Iavoloha, saying: "We want to imitate the attitude of dialogue of your fellow citizen, Blessed Victory Rasoamanarivo. (...) His testimony of love for his land and his traditions, the service of the poorest as a sign of his faith in Jesus Christ, tells us the path that we are also called to travel.

As for the pastors of the People of God without distinction, bishops, priests and consecrated persons, the Pope challenges us to constantly stand by the people, to behave as credible witnesses and to "not make our call by God a stepping stone to a "better life"! "The challenge we have to face together is the Church which goes forth. Be bold and go out to bring the light of the gospel to all parts of this island. Happy are you, happy is the Church of the poor and for the poor, because it is impregnated with the perfume of the Lord, it is joyful to announce the Good News to the marginalized of the earth, to those who are the favorites of God " .

In summary

All that we have just said will be perfect if we carry it in prayer and in praise to God. Our prayer will be answered by God and sanctified to the fullest if we strive to live the two inseparable commandments that Jesus has given us. We are Christians, we must give thanks unceasingly to the one who gives us all the goods. As the Pope told us, it is in prayer and in thanksgiving that we can know ourselves as we are.

And finally, we reiterate our thanks to all the Malagasy, whom the Cardinal has already expressed at the end of this visit of the Pope. May the blessing he has given us increase hope and peace in our hearts. We encourage ourselves to remain in solidarity with the Virgin Mary and the Saints and Blesseds of our homeland, to go off and know how to help each other so that our Island does not lack attractions in the eyes of the world. In Soamandrakizay, the Pope told the young people: "All of us are important, all of us are needed, and no one can say, 'I do not need you' or 'you are not part of this project of love to which the Father dreamed by creating us ''.

We, your bishops, we bless you all.

Antananarivo, November 15, 2019

Feast of St. Albert the Great, Doctor of the Church

His Eminence the Cardinal Désiré TSARAHAZANA, Archbishop of Toamasina,

President of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar.

H.E.Mgr Samuélin Marie Fabien RAHARILAMBONIAINA, Bishop of Morondava,

Vice-President

H.E.Bishop Jean Claude RANDRIANARISOA, Bishop of Miarinarivo,

Secretary-General

H.E.Archbishop Benjamin Marc RAMAROSON, Archbishop of Antsiranana and Apostolic Administrator of Ambanja

H.E.Archbishop Odon Marie Arsène RAZANAKOLONA, Archbishop of Antananarivo

H.E.BishopFulgence RABEONY, Bishop of Toliary Archives

H.E.Bishop Fulgence RABEMAHAFALY, Archbishop of Fianarantsoa,

H.E.Bishop Georges Varkey PITHIYAKULANGARA, Bishop of Port-Bergé

H.E.Mgr Marcellin RANDRIAMAMONJY, Bishop of Fénérive-Est

H.E.Bishop Jean de Dieu RAOELISON, Bishop of Ambatondrazaka

H.E.BishopSaro Rosario VELLA, Bishop of Moramanga

H.E.Bishop Gustavo BOMBIN ESPINO, Bishop of Maintirano and Administrator Apostolic de Mahajanga

H.E.Bishop Philippe RANAIVOMANANA, Bishop of Antsirabe

H.E Bishop Fidelis RAKOTONARIVO, Bishop d'Ambositra

H.E. Bishop José Alfredo CAIRES DE NOBREGA, Bishop of Mananjary,

H.E. Bishop Fulgence RAZAKARIVONY, Bishop of Ihosy

H.E. Bishop Gaetano DI PIERRO, Bishop of Farafangana

H.E. Bishop Zygmunt ROBASZKIEWICZ, Bishop of Morombe

H.E. Bishop Vincent RAKOTOZAFY, Bishop of Tolagnaro

H.E. Bishop Jean Pascal ANDRANTSOAVINA, Auxiliary Bishop of Antananarivo

H.E. Archbishop Raymond RAZAKARIVONY, Bishop Emeritus of Miarinarivo

H.E. Bishop Michel MALO, Emeritus of the Embassy

H.E. Bishop Antonio SCOPELLITI, Emeritus Emeritus of Australia

H.E. Bishop Joseph Donald Video PELLETIER, Bishop Emeritus of Morondava

H.E. Bishop Armand TOASY, Port of Bergé emission factor

Rev. P. Jean Claude RAKOTOARISOA, Diocese Administrator of Tsiroanomandidy.

Translated by Ramiarimalala Masoandrosoa Armancia Victoria