Catholic environmentalists in Africa gathered near Kampala, Uganda, to mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' Laudato Si' encyclical. The conference, titled "Laudato Si': Where Is Africa?," brought together Vatican officials, climate thinkers, environmental activists, and researchers. Participants discussed topics including environmental degradation, sustainable agriculture, food security, and energy. The conference honored Pope Francis' legacy and his focus on climate and ecology.
5 months ago
Catholic environmentalists in Africa convened a three-day conference near Kampala, Uganda, from July 23-25, 2025, to mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si' 1. The gathering aimed to assess how the African continent has responded to the pontiff's urgent call for environmental action 1. Organized by the Bethany Land Institute, the University of Notre Dame, and Taproot Earth, the conference brought together Vatican officials, Catholic climate thinkers, environmental activists, researchers, and policymakers 1.
The conference, titled "Laudato Si': Where Is Africa?", honored the legacy of Pope Francis, who made climate and ecology central to his papacy 1. Rev. Emmanuel Katongole, co-founder of the Bethany Land Institute, stated that he was inspired by Laudato Si' to establish the institute to combat environmental degradation, food insecurity, and poverty in Africa 1. Discussions spanned topics from environmental degradation to sustainable agriculture, food security, and energy, exploring how scientific and economic approaches could be influenced by the spiritual concepts within the encyclical 1.
Speakers highlighted the interconnectedness of faith, science, and traditional wisdom in addressing ecological challenges 1. Sister Damien Marie Savino introduced "an ecology of hospitality," urging engineers and economists to "hear the language of creation" 1. Augustine Bahemaku drew parallels between Laudato Si's concept of "integral ecology" and African traditional systems, emphasizing a "mystical relationship" with nature that respects the common good and sustainability 1. Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson underscored the need for a conversion to new lifestyles and the adoption of "ecological citizenship," which involves "hearing the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor" 1.
Despite the inspiration provided by Laudato Si', speakers cautioned that Africa remains highly vulnerable to the climate crisis 1. Allen Ottaro of the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability noted that cyclones, droughts, and extreme weather events continue to devastate communities, and the international community has yet to establish a just plan of action 1. However, Steven Kezamutima of the Laudato Si' Movement highlighted the encyclical's crucial role in mobilizing Catholic churches and individuals to act on climate change, opening doors for climate conversations and activism where civic space was limited 1.
How does the Church teach environmental stewardship?
The Catholic Church teaches environmental stewardship as a serious responsibility rooted in God's creation and humanity's role within it . This teaching emphasizes that human beings are not absolute masters of creation but rather intelligent and responsible administrators, called to "till and keep" the earth .
Biblical Foundations of Stewardship The Church's understanding of environmental stewardship is deeply connected to biblical accounts, particularly from the Book of Genesis.
Ethical Dimensions of Environmental Stewardship Environmental stewardship is not merely a technical issue but fundamentally an ethical one .
Practical Implications for Stewardship The Church encourages concrete actions and attitudes in line with environmental stewardship:
In summary, the Church's teaching on environmental stewardship is a call to responsible care for God's creation, rooted in biblical principles, guided by ethical considerations for present and future generations, and demanding a shift towards sustainable practices and a renewed reverence for the natural world .