Catholic Dioceses in DR Congo Launch Season of Creation With Call for Integral Ecology

Catholic dioceses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have begun the 2026 Season of Creation by calling for ecological conversion and environmental protection.

Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lubumbashi launched the celebrations on Monday, September 7, during a Mass at the Safina Formation House. Archbishop Muteba told the faithful to act as eco-ambassadors and co-creators rather than just admirers of nature. He noted that current environmental crises show how humanity has failed in its responsibility to care for the world.

The Archbishop, who also serves with the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), linked the current situation to previous pastoral themes regarding the connection between humans and the environment. He warned that the disappearance of certain species serves as an alarming sign of the environmental challenges facing local communities. The Diocese of Kisantu also centered its celebrations on the concept of integral ecology.