📷 Bethany Land Institute hosts conservation meet

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On May 24, 2015, Pope Francis issued the popular encyclical, Laudato Si (Latin for praise be to you), invoking all people, irrespective of their religious, political, or ideological inclination, to commit themselves to conserving the environment.

He highlighted the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues and the urgent need to address climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

Cardinal Peter Turkison delivers the key-note address.

 The Pontiff unleashed sharp criticism on technocrats who elevate technology over ecology.

He then called for sustainable development, and a more integrated approach to human and environmental well-being.

The issues that Pope Francis raised strengthened the environmental conservation convictions of Fr. Prof. Emmanuel Katongole (a don at the University of Notre Dame), who together with his two contemporaries; Fr Dr Cornelius Ssempala and the late Fr Anthony Zachary Rweza, had earlier (in 2012) founded Bethany Land Institute Nandere in Nyimbwa sub-county, Luwero district, to form leaders in integral ecology for rural transformation.

Conference participants sharing a photo-moment with the Catholic Prelates.

Since the promulgation of the encyclical, Prof. Katongole, with the support of his partners, has worked even more passionately than ever to train young people (caretakers) in principles and practices of conservation agriculture based on integration, zero waste, indigenous seed, non-synthetic inputs and minimum tillage.

Katongole’s philanthropical commitment to a safe environment manifested even more clearly when he braved all challenges and organised an integral ecological convention, Laudato Si Africa Conference 2025.

The Prelate of Kasana-Luweero, the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa delivers his remarks.

The symposium at Bethany Land Institute (BLI) Nandere (July 23- 25), attracted 170 participants from various countries. The conference was more dignified by the presence of the Vatican Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Cardinal Peter Turkson, who in his key-note address, asked Church leaders to work in solidarity with all those that are involved in environmental conservation.

Cardinal Turkson also highlighted the necessity for the environmental conservation promoters to study the documents of the various episcopal conferences in order to further their humanitarian campaign with a broader view of the global environmental concerns.

Cardinal Peter Turkson (lleft) shares a light moment with some of the conference participants during a tea-break.

“We need dialogue with all stakeholders, including our brethren the Orthodox Christians, the Muslims and all stakeholders,” he said.

The need for strategic cooperation in protecting “mother earth,” was also acknowledged and emphasised by the various panelists.

Katongole, who is also the president of Bethany Land Institute Uganda, said the conference was organised to commemorate 10 years of the promulgation of Laudato Si.

The conference participants during a guided tour of Bethany Land Institute's newly-regenerated Lazarus Forest.

“Pope Francis died, but he still speaks to us. We are here to reflect on his encyclical and how its ideas and principles have been implemented in Africa. We are here to have a conversation on how we can strengthen our commitment to protecting our common home,” he said.

Challenges

Katongole acknowledged the challenges and moments of uncertainty that sometimes manifest.

He nonetheless said the stakeholders were happy and determined to continue the environmental conservation campaign.

Panellists sharing a photo-moment after a session.

Various speakers emphasised the interdependence and interconnectedness of human beings, the natural environment and the creatures dwelling in it.

They also emphasised, among other things, the sacredness of creation and the need to involve young people in the conservation campaign.

They also put emphasis on peace building, education, faith, cultural transformation, poverty-eradication, good political governance and gender justice as crucial components of ecological conservation.

The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, thanked Katongole for his impactful environmental conservation programmes.

He also paid tribute to his local and international partners. The secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Rev. Sr. Allessandra Smerilli and Baggio Cardinal Fabio (the under-secretary), also addressed the conference (using video).

The conference was also addressed by Bishop Lawrence Mukasa of Kasana-Luwero diocese, the administrator of BLI Fr Joseph Kakooza Nnyanzi and the vice-president University of Notre Dame, Fr Dan Groody.

The symposium climaxed with the blessing and commissioning of 18 caretakers at Our Lady of Grace Nandere Catholic Parish church.