Laudato Voices | Pope Leo XIV appoints consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development | Aug 19, 2026
On August 18, Pope Leo XIV appointed Fr. Emmanuel Katongole and 12 others as consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Fr. Katongole, a native of Kampala and priest of the Kampala Archdiocese, is the founder and president of Bethany Land Institute (BLI). Together we engage young people in advancing the vision, spirituality, and practice of Laudato Si’ in Uganda. He is also Director of the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion and a professor of Theology and Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
Through his ecological vision, Fr. Katongole founded the Bethany Land Institute (BLI) in Uganda in 2012 (Bethany Land Institute, n.d.), equipping rural youth with skills in regenerative agriculture, conservation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, all grounded in the principles of Laudato Si’ (Laudato Si’, 2015). Laudato Youth Initiative collaborates with Fr. Katongole through the Bethany Land Institute in a collaboration to mentor Laudato Si Clubs in institutions around Nandere.
Known for our tireless efforts in mentoring Laudato Si clubs in schools, universities, parishes, dioceses, and communities across Uganda, we identified a synergy with fr. Emmanuel to extend our Laudato Si Clubs model in Luweero. At present, our five active clubs in Luweero contribute energy and creativity to environmental stewardship, joining the Laudato Youth Initiative’s national effort to establish Laudato Si’ Clubs in schools, universities, parishes, dioceses, and communities. We currently operate over thirty Laudato Si’ Clubs across various regions in Uganda. Their impact is highlighted at our regional Laudato Si’ Green Festivals, which are recognized as the only faith-inspired environmental festivals dedicated to Integral Ecology in Uganda.
Through BLI’s hands-on agroforestry programs, our goal is to train our Laudato Si Clubs in Luweero and their club patrons to advance our vision as we reimagine active youth involvement in Laudato Si’, This effort has been achieved in other regions of Uganda where the Laudato Youth Initiative is mentoring Laudato Si Clubs.
Training these mentors to serve as club patrons, ensures that young participants receive effective guidance. Our initiatives integrate faith, culture, and language to promote a more sustainable and peaceful future. The Laudato Youth Initiative values its collaboration with Fr. Katongole at Bethany Land Institute (BLI) in efforts to advance the vision of Laudato Si’ in Uganda. Our mission centers on forming stewards of the future. By prioritizing future generations, we ensure continuity and sustainability, which is the unique contribution we offer.
We have all witnessed rapid forest loss in Uganda, where 85% of the population depends on agriculture. The connection between the environment, sustainability, and harmony in families we believe our programs will continue to give hope and social transformation.
We congratulate Fr. Emmanuel for having been identified by the church “from among the faithful who are distinguished by their expertise, proven ability, and prudence,” according to the Vatican’s announcement.
“This appointment is an honor not only for Emmanuel, but for us at LYI and BLI in Uganda. We congratulate Fr. Emmanuel on their selection, and I am grateful for the Holy Father’s recognition of his expertise and commitment to advancing integral ecology. In March this year, we were together at Castel Gandolfo for the Global Alliance for Laudato Si, where we renewed our commitment to advancing the care of creation in Uganda, said Br. Adolf. We look forward to the ways his leadership and wisdom will continue to advance the African understanding of Laudato Si and to guide the wider church in this important work of the dicastery and a mission we are all called to embrace.”
Established by the late Pope Francis in 2016, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development supports the Church’s worldwide efforts in human dignity and human rights, economic justice, care for creation, migration and displacement, and peace, conflict, and humanitarian crises.
Established by the late Pope Francis in 2016, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development supports the Church’s worldwide efforts in human dignity and human rights, economic justice, care for creation, migration and displacement, and peace, conflict, and humanitarian crises.
Learn more about LYI and BLI
