Laudato Si’ Missionary Centre in Kinshasa prepares for the new year of activities

During the Mass opening the 2026–2027 pastoral year of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo invited the diocesan community to pay particular attention to the protection of creation and to collective responsibility. In response to this appeal, the CMLS will develop its activities under the theme “Together for an Evangelical Stewardship of the Environment.”

Among the main initiatives planned is the monthly training of new volunteers, from January to June 2027, both in person and online.

The programme also includes the training of 30 young people, nominated by the BYM (Youth of the Light) coordination of the three apostolic regions of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa. After the training, the Centre will accompany the young people in their fieldwork, helping them to develop their talents and to promote initiatives to safeguard creation in their parishes and neighbourhoods.

The programme also includes three workshops on the following themes: “ECOnomy – ECOlogy: Everything Is Interconnected,” focusing on climate change and the transformation of lifestyles; recycling, reuse of objects and reduction of consumption; and the right to drinking water and the challenges of sanitation.

A retreat dedicated to ecological spirituality, to be held after Easter, and an ecological concert with the Afriquespoir choir, during the Easter season of 2027, are also part of the planned activities.

The programme further includes clean-up days and the beautification of symbolic places in Kinshasa, as well as training and awareness-raising activities in two primary and two secondary schools. The participants undertook to contact the school boards and, together with the head of the Centre, to set the calendar of activities.

The CMLS also intends to support small environmental projects promoted by volunteers in parishes and neighbourhoods, to prepare educational materials for schools, young people and women, and to strengthen collaboration with other organisations committed to the protection of creation.

Founded in June 2018, the Centre went through a period of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of staff and disagreements among those in charge.

With this programme, the Laudato Si’ Missionary Centre renews its commitment to the protection of creation, the formation of the new generations and the promotion of an integral ecology, in communion with the local Church and in collaboration with all men and women of goodwill.

Fr. Fernando Zolli, MCCJ