Catholic Bishop in Angola Highlights “values of Laudato Si’’ in Vision for Ecological Renewal, Rural Development

“This is not merely a theoretical idea. It is a process built together with local communities and institutional partners,” the Catholic Church leader said.

According to Bishop Lasarte, the vision is intended as a long-term undertaking that will unfold in successive phases of intervention, evaluation, and expansion.

“The final objective is to promote a structural transformation of the territory by integrating economic development, social justice, and environmental sustainability,” he said, emphasizing that “the future of these communities depends on our ability to care for the land today and educate future generations in a new culture of environmental responsibility.”

The initiative seeks to encourage more sustainable agricultural practices and reduce environmental degradation associated with deforestation, soil depletion, and recurring bushfires, he told ACI Africa in the May 21 interview.

Bishop Lasarte went on to explain that while shifting cultivation has long been culturally rooted in many rural communities, it has also contributed to ecological challenges that require new responses grounded in education and community participation.

“The goal is not simply to plant trees, but to rebuild the relationship between human beings and the land permanently,” the Local Ordinary of Lwena, since his Episcopal Consecration in September 2023 told ACI Africa. 

The Diocese of Lwena encompasses hundreds of agricultural communities, many located in remote areas facing significant socio-economic challenges.

The Salesian Bishop said efforts are focused on promoting environmental restoration while also supporting livelihoods through sustainable agricultural practices and the recovery of native ecosystems.

Among the priorities, he said, is the restoration of indigenous tree species that have been severely affected by deforestation and uncontrolled fires, alongside initiatives that can contribute to long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

Bishop Lasarte also highlighted the importance of reviving traditional economic activities linked to healthy forest ecosystems.