Alice K
Fort Portal Catholic Diocese has held its first-ever Laudato Si Youth Initiative Green Festival, with a call for young people to take the lead in protecting the environment.
The festival was held at Saaka Holy Cross Novitiate in Fort Portal City hosted by St. Maria gorret girl’s secondary attracted members of Laudato Si from various primary and secondary schools, universities and technical institutions to celebrate environmental conservation and promote responsible stewardship of nature.
Environmental conservation
In his homily, the Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa, urged the participants to create awareness about environmental protection, despite possible resistance from members of the public.
Bishop Muhiirwa emphasized that environmental conservation is for the benefit of both the present and future generations, warning that indiscriminate tree cutting and environmental destruction contribute to floods, drought and hunger.
He said Pope Francis had consistently highlighted the suffering of the poor and the destruction of creation caused by human selfishness and the pursuit of wealth.
The Bishop encouraged members of Laudato Si to undertake simple but meaningful activities, such as planting trees, while calling for collective responsibility in protecting the common home at individual, community and international levels.
He further urged participants to encourage people to change lifestyles characterized by excessive consumption and to educate those who remain unaware of the importance of environmental conservation.
Meanwhile, the Youth Chaplain of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Paul Mugabyomu, said the Green Festival was held under the theme “Environmental Conservation for Peace and Sustainable Development.”
Fr. Mugabyomu noted that environmental protection is among the key goals of the diocesan youth office, calling on the public to become champions and responsible stewards of the environment.
Intention of the Laudato Festival
The Executive Director of Laudato Si, Bernard Kaahwa, said the festival was intended to renew people’s commitment to caring for their common home, inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis.
Kaahwa identified climate change, deforestation, pollution, poor waste management and the degradation of water and land resources as some of the major environmental challenges that require urgent action.
He said the festival should serve as a platform for moving beyond awareness creation to practical interventions that address these challenges.
The Fort Portal City Woman Member of Parliament, Linda Irene Mugisa, who was the chief guest, urged Laudato Si members to influence their fellow students and community members to embrace environmental protection.
Mugisa emphasized that everyone has a responsibility to preserve the environment, encouraging participants to plant multipurpose trees in schools, homes and communities.
The festival attracted participants from institutions including St. Joseph’s Hill Kyembogo, Ave Maria, Nyakasura School, St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, St. Charles Lwanga Primary School, St. Adolf High School Katoosa, Divine Mercy, Mpanga, St. Leo’s College Kyegobe, Mountains of the Moon University, St. Paul’s National Major Seminary and Uganda Technical College Kicwamba.