Environmental Stewardship in Strategic Plan for Tanzania’s Laity Lauded as “truly commendable”

Dar es Salaam, 21 July, 2025 / 5:17 PM

The Programs Manager of Laudato Si’ Movement in Africa has lauded the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) for integrating environmental stewardship into the first-ever five-year strategic plan for the country’s Catholic Laity Council.

In an interview with ACI Africa, Ashley Kitisya expressed optimism that the 2025-2030 strategic plan that the Bishops launched during the Annual General Meeting of the Laity Council in the East African nation would inspire similar lay-driven initiatives across the continent.

Referring to the late Pope Francis’ May 2015 Encyclical Letter on care for our common home, Ms. Kitisya said, “The integration of deep evangelization, socio-economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship, especially through the lens of Laudato Si’, is truly commendable.”

“I pray this Strategic Plan not only bears abundant fruit locally but also inspires similar lay-driven initiatives across the continent,” the Kenyan Catholic environmentalist added during the Sunday, July 20 interview with ACI Africa.

Since its establishment in 1969, the Catholic Laity Council has reportedly been operating without a formal strategic plan, relying instead on tradition and experience.

The launch of the strategic plan, the first of its kind was inspired by a growing awareness of the need for structured guidance, which led the Bishops during their 2021 General Assembly to develop a comprehensive strategic document.

Launched at the TEC Lay Formation Centre in the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, the strategic plan is aimed at enhancing the participation of the laity in Church life, supporting the growth and effectiveness of lay associations and apostolic movements, and fostering the spiritual, social, and economic well-being of Catholics throughout the country.

Besides environmental stewardship that seeks to implement the Laudato si' vision through climate education, sustainable use of resources, and Church-led environmental initiatives, the strategic plan also seeks to deepen evangelization and pastoral formation for children, youth, adults, and the elderly.

It also seeks to build robust governance and operational systems within the Laity Council, including capacity-building and financial sustainability, and to promote unity among the Clergy, Religious, and the Laity.

The plan also seeks to promote inclusive socio-economic development mainly “to empower lay groups in entrepreneurship, vocational training, and education, particularly among marginalized communities.”

Additionally, the five-year strategic plan also seeks to promote institutional strengthening with an aim of building “robust governance and operational systems within the Laity Council, including capacity-building and financial sustainability.”

In the July 20 interview with ACI Africa, Ms. Ashley described the move to have the strategic plan as “a Spirit-filled and historic milestone for the Church in Tanzania” and lauded the Bishops and the Laity for “this bold and visionary step.”

She said that as the plan’s implementation begins, “I hope it also amplifies the recent calls from joint continental Bishops of the Global South, particularly the need to advance renewable energy sovereignty, phase out fossil fuels, and reject false solutions.”

“The Church truly flourishes when the Laity are formed, empowered, and united in mission,” Ms. Ashley told ACI Africa.

Reports indicate that the Strategic Plan, with a budget of TZS 2.5 billion, will be implemented through inclusive and participatory processes at both local and national levels. Funding will be sourced from diocesan contributions, fundraising efforts, partnerships with development agencies and NGOs, private donors, and, if necessary, financial institutions.

A Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBM&E) system will be used to oversee progress and reporting, with biannual reviews conducted at both the diocesan and national levels to promote openness and accountability.