Author: Mwenya Chitambala
From May 24 to 31, a wave of joy, faith, and purpose swept across Africa as communities united to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week 2025!
This year’s celebration was more than just a commemoration — it marked the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ groundbreaking call to care for our common home. A decade on, Laudato Si’ continues to ignite hearts, spark bold action, and guide the global Church toward ecological conversion and climate justice.
Across the African continent, the spirit of Laudato Si’ was alive and flourishing. Our regional chapters and circles, both Anglophone and Francophone, organised a range of vibrant activities.
Laudato Si’ Week served as a reminder that Africa is called to create change about our common home.
We’re excited to share highlights from across the continent.
Kenya
To mark Africa Liberation Day, Laudato Si’ Movement joined forces with the Afrika Vuka network and 350Africa.org for a vibrant celebration in Nairobi. The gathering brought together Laudato Si’ Animators (LSAs) and young climate activists in a powerful, creative space of reflection and solidarity under the theme of Laudato Si’ Week (LSW).
A hand-drawn banner boldly declared one of the day’s central messages:
“Renewable energy must belong to the people.”
As part of our Laudato Si’ Week celebration, on Friday, 23 May, we marked Africa Liberation Day in Nairobi with our Afrika Vuka network, in partnership with 350.org Africa.
In a vibrant and creative gathering, Laudato Si’ Animators (LSAs) and young activists came together to share stories, express hope, and raise their voices for climate justice. Under the theme of Laudato Si’ Week (LSW), a hand-drawn banner captured powerful calls to action, including a central message: Renewable energy must belong to the people.
As part of Laudato Si’ Week 2025, we hosted a special community screening of ‘The Letter: A Message for Our Earth’ on Saturday, May 24th, at Westgate Cinema, Nairobi. The event, organised in partnership with Friends of St. Jude’s Chapel and supported by NCBA, welcomed over 140 participants for an afternoon of reflection, faith, and ecological awareness.
The screening created a powerful space for dialogue around climate justice and Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. The message of Laudato Si’ came to life on screen, reminding us that protecting the Earth is a moral and spiritual responsibility.
Powerful Call for Biodiversity and Energy Justice from the Heart of Africa
On Thursday, May 22, we marked World Biodiversity Day with a powerful and inspiring webinar centered on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)—one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. This virtual gathering built on the momentum of our April visit to the DRC and was co-hosted with the Conference of Bishops of the DRC.
A key moment came with a stirring statement on energy transition by Bishop Libère Pwongo Bope, President of the Episcopal Commission for Natural Resources. Although technical limitations in the remote Diocese of Basankusu prevented his live appearance, his message—delivered with conviction by Sr. Jeanne Marie Abanda, his Executive Secretary—resonated deeply with all participants.
We were also proud to collaborate with 350.org Africa, whose expert speaker offered invaluable insights on the intersection of biodiversity and energy justice. During the event, the Laudato Si’ Movement Africa Office officially launched its bold new campaign for a just energy transition, reaffirming our dedication to ecological protection and climate justice throughout the continent.
This webinar was more than just a conversation—it was a call to action. Because protecting biodiversity is not just about ecosystems; it’s about defending lives, cultures, and the future we all share.
On May 27th, in the heart of Nairobi, we stood united, GreenFaith Africa, StopEACOP, and other courageous civil society organisations, to raise our voices for climate justice, environmental protection, and human rights.
Despite the Kenyan government’s decision to revoke our constitutional right to assemble and protest, we remained undaunted. We took to the streets, demanding justice for the 11 Ugandan activists arrested and cornered by KCB Bank Uganda and Ugandan police for the simple act of truth-telling, for resisting the destructive East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and calling out its financiers.
Their “crime”? Speaking up against fossil fuels. Speaking out for the Earth.
Together, we delivered a bold statement:
It is time to stop EACOP. It is time to embrace renewable energy. It is time to protect our future.
The Consolata Shrine in Nairobi, filled with creativity, reflection, and a spirit of community. The celebration featured vibrant artwork created by the PMC (Pontifical Missionary Childhood) children, who expressed their love for creation and faith through colour and imagination.
This marks the beginning of a special week of reflection, during which the children and community will explore themes of care for creation, compassion, and spiritual growth. The week will culminate in a screening of The Letter: A Message for Our Earth on June 1st, bringing Laudato Si’s message of ecological awareness and action to life for the young and old alike.
A heartfelt thank you to all who made this celebration meaningful and joyful!
South Africa
A Day of Walking, Worship, and Reflection in Nature
We recently enjoyed a beautiful walking day that concluded with an outdoor Mass near the river, a sacred time to reconnect with creation and one another.
As part of the day’s spiritual rhythm, we engaged in Lectio Divina, meditating on Scripture and the wonder of creation. Surrounded by the sounds of nature and flowing water, it was a moment of deep peace, prayer, and gratitude.
Special thanks to Tony and everyone who helped make the day so meaningful. It was a reminder that God speaks not only through words, but through the living beauty of the Earth.
A Milestone Celebration at St. Joseph – Soweto
On Sunday, 25 May 2025, St. Joseph Parish in Johannesburg–Soweto marked a significant milestone with the official launch of the Laudato Si’ and Justice & Peace initiatives. It was a day filled with joy, gratitude, and renewed commitment to caring for our common home.
From the beautiful liturgy and uplifting choir to the powerful reflections and engaged parishioners, the spirit of community and mission was truly alive.
During the launch, we explored the 10 goals of Laudato Si’ through the lens of See, Judge, and Act, and reflected on May 24, 2015, when Pope Francis signed Laudato Si’, offering more than an encyclical he offered a movement. The early days when Laudato Si’ was known as GCCM (Global Catholic Climate Movement), and how I’ve had the blessing of launching these initiatives in four parishes, hand-in-hand with Justice and Peace ministries.
We also looked ahead to the Season of Creation (Sept 1–Oct 4), an annual invitation to deepen our ecological spirituality and action.
My deepest thanks go out to all who made this launch possible—speakers, facilitators, liturgy team, choir, and every parishioner who showed up with open hearts. Together, we’ve planted something beautiful.
Nigeria
As we continue to celebrate Laudato Si’ at 10, we warmly invite you to join us for a special online prayer gathering today at 5:00 PM.
This moment of shared reflection and gratitude is an opportunity to pause, pray, and recommit ourselves to caring for our common home. Let’s unite in spirit across regions to honour this milestone and the movement it continues to inspire.
Uganda
As part of the preparations for the Green Martyr Celebration 2025, the Laudato Si’ Center Comboni Uganda has taken a meaningful step toward ecological renewal by distributing 758 tree seedlings to Carista Uganda (Lugazi Diocese).
This initiative is more than a planting activity — it’s a living expression of ecological spirituality and a tangible response to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’ to care for creation. Rooted in faith and hope, these seedlings will grow into symbols of resilience, restoration, and the Church’s commitment to a greener, more just future.
DRC
Schools remain one of the most powerful spaces to nurture awareness, reflection, and action around Our Common Home. By planting seeds of ecological consciousness in young minds, we are growing a generation of guardians for creation.
We were able to engage this Laudato Si Week with the youth
Malawi
Celebrating 10 Years of Laudato Si’ in Malawi!
As the world marks a decade of Laudato Si’, member organisations in Malawi came together in faith and action to celebrate this milestone!
With inspiring leadership from Trócaire, the Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED) in Malawi, Caritas Malawi, and other partners, the celebration was a powerful expression of love for our common home.
Together, we’re renewing our commitment to ecological conversion, justice, and care for creation.
