As summer approaches, the Portuguese bishops have published a message devoted to fire prevention. After the huge fires that ravaged much of the country last year, the bishops address themselves to those “responsible for prevention” and “the Christian communities”, urging them to “contribute to the task of prevention and to the support of the fire brigades”. “Last summer says the message the populations of our dioceses were once again struck by numerous violent fires that devastated the country. On those occasions many gestures of generous solidarity gave proof of the Christian sensibility of our people”. “As next summer approaches add the bishops we cannot disguise our anxieties. The fires, in fact, are not chance or accidental occurrences”. An important role in prevention, continues the message, is played by the “media that can help inform the public, at various levels, about how to avoid natural disasters, such as fires, and prevent considerable damage to the environment”. A particular appeal is made by the bishops to the “owners of forests and woodland to cooperate with the fire services, Civil Protection and the local populations”. The latter in turn are urged not to be individualistic: “we must be conscious that the situation is grave and complex. We cannot hope to defend by ourselves the trees and forests that form part of personal estates. Acting alone may also represent a danger for others. Preventing fires and defending forests are a contribution to the common good of the population and of the country as a whole”.
