Having recently completed his six-year tenure as Provincial of the Mumbai Province, Fr. Savio takes on this new responsibility with a wealth of experience in education, pastoral ministry, and social engagement. Known for his deep sensitivity to environmental concerns and sustainable development, he has been a driving force in advancing the Salesian mission to safeguard creation.

He also serves as Spokesperson of the Don Bosco Green Alliance, a global network of more than 600 Salesian institutions across 90 countries dedicated to environmental protection and the formation of young people as responsible, eco-conscious citizens.

In his new role, Fr. Savio is expected to guide the Salesian Youth Ministry in integrating ecological concerns into its pastoral and educational mission, in line with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. Through initiatives promoting sustainability and ecological awareness, he will encourage young people to actively engage in caring for the planet.

BOSCOM South Asia expresses gratitude to Fr. Savio for his dedicated service as In-charge of Social Communication and extends its best wishes for his new mission.

In a conversation with the Chief Editor of BOSCOM, Fr. Savio shared his vision and priorities as he steps into this new role.

1. How do you envision integrating the principles of Laudato Si’ into Salesian youth ministry on a global scale?

GC29 has pointed out that for us Salesians, “integral ecology emerges as a privileged field of educational and pastoral work” (GC29:64). It has called on “every province to promote formation in integral ecology and ecological education of young people” (GC29:69).

Our Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, in the Six-Year Plan 2025–2031 for the Congregation (AGC 446), has reiterated that “the Church’s commitment to integral ecology has been taken up by the Congregation and must be strengthened with a charismatically inspired vision.”

I believe the General Chapter and the Rector Major have given us a clear direction: every Salesian Province worldwide should include “caring for our common home” as an essential dimension of our mission with young people—whether in oratories, youth centres, schools, colleges, parishes, or shelter homes. Ecological engagement is not an optional project; it is a core dimension of Salesian youth ministry.

2. What role do you see young people playing in addressing today’s urgent ecological challenges?

The Rector Major, in the Six-Year Plan, rightly emphasizes: “May the commitment of young people to the common good and to our common home be increasingly rooted at the local level, with young people playing a leading role, sharing choices, and participating actively and concretely.”

Young people today are deeply concerned about ecological issues and want to make a meaningful contribution to change. We Salesians must support them in identifying critical local concerns, analyzing root causes, designing solutions, and implementing concrete action plans. It is equally important to encourage them to join global environmental movements, exchanging ideas and collaborating with peers worldwide.

3. Having led the Don Bosco Green Alliance, how will that experience influence your approach in this new responsibility?

My experience with the Don Bosco Green Alliance has shown me that young people worldwide are eager to be involved in ecological causes, and that most Salesians recognize the urgency of addressing the ecological crisis facing our world. I have also witnessed many inspiring initiatives by provinces and institutions within the Congregation.

This experience fills me with hope and enthusiasm. I am confident that Salesian youth ministry in the years ahead will take decisive steps in responding to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si’ 13).