Immaculate Tusingwire, MMS …………………………………………
The Archdiocese of Kampala in partnership with the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU) and other Laudato Si implementing partners came together in a two-day encounter at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Mark 10 years of Laudato Si’ and to celebrate the life of Pope Francis.
Day one brought together 17 different organizations/ groups under the theme, ‘Raising Hope for Climate Justice’. They began with an input from the Kampala Archdiocese Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Ambrose Bwangatto who gave a brief overview of the encyclical and highlighted the purpose of the partners’ coming together.
The 1st day of the encounter was very fruitful. By the end of the day, the team had formed a consortium that will continue working together towards climate justice.
In a colorful outdoor, Eucharistic celebration of the Mass that ushered in day 2 of the encounter, the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere who presided over the Holy Mass applauded the partners for coming together and for all they do to wake others up to the reality of ecological crisis. He asked the gathering to remember Pope Francis in a special way through whom many are now aware of the vital role of caring for the earth, and reminded all of them about a call to ecological conversion.
The partners who had taken time on Day1 to share their different involvements, activities and efforts towards climate justice also held an educative and inspiring exhibition of different inventions and tools.
The consortium presented a powerful statement which was also a commitment moving forward. The statement is as shared below
