Strategic metals: understanding the call of the Church

The South American ecumenical network Churches and Mines, which has existed for more than ten years, has just launched a new international platform, during a meeting which took place in Rome (Italy) from March 19 to 21, 2026. This action group brings together around forty Catholic organizations and promotes “divestment from extractive activities”. In other words, mining activities across the world.

This platform, supported by the Holy See, invites Catholic organizations to lead by example by developing “ethical finance” to fight against the most dangerous practices.

“We know that minerals are necessary for many aspects of contemporary life,” explains Cardinal Fabio Baggio, undersecretary of the dicastery for the service of integral human development. However, we also know that, too often, their extraction has been done without listening to local communities, without respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and without taking into account the limits of the ecosystems that support life. »

An urgent reminder, therefore, as forty-seven mining projects have just been promoted by the European Union. Enough to guarantee access to lithium and other strategic metals for tomorrow. Unless it is the “sirens of money” who are seducing us, once again, as Mgr Vicente Ferreira, the network’s Brazilian advisor, severely warns.