On 17th July 2026, the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), in collaboration with the Laudato Si’ Movement, convened a workshop on Ethical Investment for Catholics, on 17th July, 2026, bringing together bishops, Church leaders, Caritas representatives, and development partners to reflect on how Catholic institutions can align their financial investments with the values of Catholic Social Teaching and care for creation.
The workshop underscored the Church’s growing commitment to responsible stewardship, ecological justice, and ethical financial decision-making in response to today’s social and environmental challenges.
Rev. Fr. Paul Igweta, AMECEA Coordinator for Promoting Integral Human Development, explored the concept of ecological economics from a theological perspective, highlighting the importance of ethical engagement in promoting the common good. He emphasized that economic decisions should always uphold human dignity, protect creation, and contribute to sustainable development.
Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, called on Catholic institutions to embrace responsible stewardship through ethical investment, noting that financial resources should be managed in ways that safeguard the environment while promoting justice and human flourishing
Delivering a keynote reflection, Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, Archbishop of Blantyre, reminded participants that the Church has a moral obligation to respond to both human suffering and environmental degradation.
“We have a moral responsibility to care for the people of God. We should open our ears and eyes to the cry of the poor, deepen our shared discernment, and make a way forward,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Archbishop Msusa emphasized that the call for climate justice and care for our common home remains urgent.
“Without ecological conversion, there can be no sustainable future. Everything is interconnected,” he added.
Archbishop Msusa further encouraged AMECEA to develop regional ethical investment guidelines rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, strengthen advocacy for climate justice, and position the region as a model of ecological responsibility.
The workshop brought together several Church leaders and stakeholders, including Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama of Gulu, Archbishop Gervas Nyaisonga of Mbeya, Bishop Jamal Boulos Sleiman Daibes of Djibouti, representatives from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Justice and Peace (CJPD), Caritas organizations, and other partners committed to promoting integral human development.
The workshop reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to ensuring that its financial practices reflect its Gospel values, contributing to a more just, sustainable, and environmentally responsible future