Laudato Voices | National Youth Conference in Gulu Archdiocese| 10th Dec, 2025
As thousands of young Catholics gather for the ongoing National Youth Conference in Gulu, the spirit of faith, hope, and responsible stewardship is alive and well. Among the most active groups on the ground is our Fort Portal Diocese Youth Apostolate, Laudato Si’ Club which is taking a leading role in ensuring that the conference environment remains clean, orderly, and reflective of the Church’s call to care for our common home.
Laudato Youth Witnessing Through Action
The conference theme, “You also are my witnesses” (John 15:27), has taken on deep meaning as our Laudato Si club members from across Uganda put their faith into concrete practice. For the Laudato Youth, witnessing to Christ includes witnessing to His creation as well because caring for the earth as a gift entrusted to all. Their work—sorting waste, cleaning spaces, guiding disposal, and modeling eco-friendly habits shows what Laudato Si’ calls “ecological citizenship” (LS 211).
A Living Expression of Laudato Si’
Pope Francis reminds us that caring for creation is not optional but an essential act of faith: “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.” (Laudato Si’, 217) This vision is evident now in Gulu, where our Laudato Si’ Clubs are uniting for climate action away to express their concern for our common home and taking on their ecological responsibility as steward of today and the future. Their coordinated efforts promote a clean, respectful environment for all at the conference.
The Eco-Witness of the Youth
Throughout the conference, Laudato Youth teams are actively sorting different types of waste, encouraging recycling among attendees, keeping communal spaces such as gathering areas and prayer sites clean, educating fellow youths on environmental care by leading discussions and distributing information on sustainability, sharing personal stories about changing their habits for the environment, and guiding their peers in taking daily steps to protect nature. Their dedication offers a modern interpretation of the conference theme: young Catholics witnessing in deeds that honor God and the earth.
Hope Rising in Northern Uganda
A Growing Initiative Within the Church
The Fort Portal Laudato Si’ Club highlights a broader trend: Catholic youth in Uganda are embracing ecological spirituality, showing that environmental stewardship is integral to faith. At the National Youth Conference, young people are making it clear that they are leading the Church toward a sustainable, hopeful creation-respecting future.
As the conference continues, the Laudato Youth Initiative remains committed to making the gathering both spiritually enriching and environmentally responsible. Their example motivates other dioceses to join this mission of ecological conversion, signaling a hopeful, church-wide youth initiative using the language of hands.
At this pivotal moment, the words of Laudato Si’ resonate ever more strongly: “Young people have a new ecological sensitivity and a generous spirit.” (Laudato Si’, 209) Their efforts are a beacon guiding the church towards a future of care, unity, and renewed stewardship.
