On 18 August 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed 12 new Consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development for a five-year term. Among them is Rev. Emmanuel Katongole, Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame in the United States.
These appointments bring together theologians, priests, religious, and lay experts from around the world, offering their expertise and insights to support the Dicastery’s mission of promoting human dignity, development, and integral human progress.
We congratulate all the newly appointed Consultors, believing that today’s youth are poised to become the caretakers, farmers, environmental leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and community builders who will shape a more sustainable and hopeful future as embedded in the values of integral human development and Laudato Si
People like Fr. Emmanuel Katongole have walked the path of leadership in theology, peacebuilding, and social ethics, inspiring many in Uganda to care for our common home.
Our collaboration with Fr. Katongole and the Bethany Land Institute (BLI) has always strengthened the vision that Laudato Si’ is about translating ideas into tangible action; in simple, practical ways that empower and skill those we serve, in institutions, the church, and strengthening local communities.
Through his ecological vision, he founded the Bethany Land Institute (BLI) in Uganda in 2012 (Bethany Land Institute, n.d.). BLI equips rural youth with skills in regenerative agriculture, conservation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, all grounded in the principles of Laudato Si’ (Laudato Si’, 2015).
Like in our COVID-19 foundation story, we witnessed communities turn to destroying the environment during the pandemic lockdown. Likewise, Fr. Katongole has witnessed forest destruction in Uganda, where 85% of people rely on agriculture. He has dedicated his academic, pastoral, and public service to advancing dialogue on faith, peace, justice, reconciliation, and Africa’s social transformation. Through his scholarship and leadership at leading universities, he is recognized as one of Africa’s foremost voices in political theology and Christian social ethics. Since 2025, the Laudato Youth Initiative has led a one-million-tree-planting drive to restore ecosystems and foster positive behavior change among young people in schools, universities, parishes, dioceses, and communities.
Since its founding, BLI has trained hundreds of young caretakers who have launched agricultural and environmental initiatives in their communities (Bethany Land Institute, n.d.). Through tree planting and land restoration, BLI shows that ecological conversion is a practical and hopeful action for future generations (Laudato Si’, 2015). The Bethany Land Institute (BLI), has planted over 23,000 trees as part of its ecological restoration and integral ecology mission. Inspired by Pope Francis‘s Laudato Si’, they aims to reach 300,005 by 2030.
Walking Together with the Laudato Youth Initiative
We began collaborating with BLI in 2024 and formalized our partnership in 2025 to co-mentor Laudato Si’ Clubs in Luweero schools (Laudato Youth Initiative & BLI Partnership Report, 2025). Today, more than five active clubs in Luweero bring energy and creativity to environmental stewardship. These clubs joined our wider national effort to form Laudato Si Clubs in schools, universities, parishes, dioceses, and communities.
They give young people platforms to see themselves as stewards and catalysts for renewal. Through hands-on activities and community initiatives that bring integral ecology to life, youth connect faith with ecological responsibility.
This mission is central to the Laudato Youth Initiative: empowering young people as stewards of our common home and leaders in integral ecology.
Integral ecology in the African World View
The Laudato Youth Initiative brings to life the Martyr Ecology relationship, telling stories of integral ecology inspired by the Uganda Martyrs, particularly St. Adolf Mukas Ludigho, Patron of Hardesmen and Farmers and our patron, sharing stories of young people advocating for ecological conversion.
Environmental Sustainability and collaborations
Our mentor, Br. Adolf, recalls his first encounter with Fr. Emmanuel in Rome, where they engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue about Uganda’s potential to serve as a center for the African expression of Laudato Si’, contributing significantly to Pope Francis’ ecological legacy. This ongoing conversation continues to inspire our collective efforts to strengthen Laudato Si’ Clubs and advance youth-led models of ecological action, both as sources of hope and as drivers of change.
Earlier this year, we had the privilege of continuing this exchange at Castel Gandolfo during the Global Alliance for Laudato Si’, where we reaffirmed our commitment to empowering Ugandan communities and institutions to embed Laudato Si’ principles in their daily practices.
A Shared Vision for Uganda and Africa in Sustainable Agriculture and Agroecology
The 10th Anniversary Laudato Si’ Africa Conference in Uganda brought together participants from 22 countries across three continents (Laudato Si’ Africa Conference Proceedings, 2025). With the theme “10 Years of Laudato Si’ – Where is Africa?”, the Laudato Youth Initiative highlighted youth and institutional voices in shaping Africa’s ecological future. Sharing about the role of young people in using digital media to inspire ecological action, today we are talking about ways to foster ecological innovations and the use of technologies like Ai to promote environmental conservation and support farmers.
Our experience shows that Africa’s unique wisdom, spirituality, connection to the land, rich community traditions, and vibrant youth can contribute significantly to the global ecological movement.
This highlights our vision for coming together with Fr. Katongole and BLI with an aim of advancing a vision in which Laudato Si’ is contextualized through African realities and translated into meaningful action within local communities.
Fr. Katongole’s ecological family day program at BLI has connected students, academics, organizations, and youth worldwide, providing firsthand insight into ecological transformation in Uganda. This year, our Laudato Youth Leaders joined Laudato Si’ Clubs, further strengthening these relationships. Our Laudato Si Green Festival is now in its third year as of 2026 and highlights that “Environmental conservation in Uganda is fundamentally linked to peace, livelihoods, and sustainable development. By empowering youth to unite for climate action, we are fostering a new generation of environmental stewards and catalysts for positive change.” The Laudato Youth Initiative, inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, empowers youth nationwide to champion environmental stewardship, sustainable innovation, and positive social change through its Laudato Si Clubs activities and programs, Laudato Voices Magazine, and the Laudato Si Green Festival Programs.
From Scholarship to Action
Fr. Katongole’s appointment follows decades of distinguished scholarship and service. His publications, including African Theology Today (Katongole, 2002), A Future for Africa (Katongole, 2005), The Sacrifice of Africa (Katongole, 2011), Born from Lament (Katongole, 2017), and Who Are My People? (Katongole, 2022), demonstrate his sustained engagement with issues of faith, justice, peace, violence, hope, and Africa’s future.
His career reminds us that theology must address the lived realities of people and communities. His leadership at BLI exemplifies this principle: theological reflection inspires formation; formation leads to action; and action cultivates hope.
We are confident that his African experience, scholarship, commitment to peace, and practical expertise in ecological transformation will enrich the Church’s global mission for integral human development.
For the Laudato Youth Initiative, his appointment renews our commitment to advancing our shared work. We will continue mentoring young people in Uganda and beyond, fostering a culture of care for our common home. We believe today’s youth are ready to become the leaders and innovators who will build a more sustainable and hopeful future.
Congratulations, Fr. Emmanuel Katongole.
As you begin this new chapter of service to the wider Church through the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, the Laudato Youth Initiative offers its warmest congratulations and reaffirms its commitment to work alongside you in environmental stewardship. Together, we remain committed to nurturing young people, sowing seeds of faith and of hope, restoring the land, empowering youth, and advancing care for our common home.
Learn more about LYI and BLI
References
Bethany Land Institute. (n.d.). About BLI. https://bethanylandinstitute.org
Katongole, E. (2002). African Theology Today. University of Scranton Press.
Katongole, E. (2005). A Future for Africa: Critical Essays in Christian Social Imagination. University of Scranton Press.
Katongole, E. (2011). The Sacrifice of Africa: A Political Theology for Africa. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Katongole, E. (2017). Born from Lament: The Theology and Politics of Hope in Africa. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Katongole, E. (2022). Who Are My People? Love, Violence, and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa. University of Notre Dame Press.
Laudato Si’. (2015). Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis on Care for Our Common Home. Vatican Press. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
Laudato Si’ Africa Conference Proceedings. (2025).
Laudato Youth Initiative & BLI Partnership Report. (2025).
