Conferences of Catholic Bishops, Church Entities in Africa Laud EWTN News Service in Africa ahead of 5th Anniversary

Logo of SECAM. Credit: SECAM

He says the activities of ACI Africa, including daily news reports from the “eight regions of SECAM, the Vatican, and the whole World” have increased the Church's visibility across Africa.

He recognizes ACI Africa as a news service that demonstrates commitment to providing up-to-date news about the Church in Africa.

“ACI Africa's services in the production and dissemination of information are the more remarkable as the content is produced and disseminated in several languages and is accessible free of charge,” the Secretary General of SECAM says.

ACI Africa contributes “substantially to the dissemination of the Good News and to the development of cultures in their diversity in Africa and in the world,” the member of the Clergy of Mozambique’s Catholic Diocese of Xai-Xai further says. 

Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior, Secretary General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

He goes on to express appreciation to Fr. Adalbert Marie Mohm who founded ACI Prensa in 1980 in Lima, Peru, and the current leadership of ACI Africa and all “staff, as well as to all the partners and the readers of this media.”

On their part, members of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) say since August 2019, ACI Africa has been “a pastoral tool for the continent providing news on the issues affecting the Catholic and the Community in general.”

“This has added value in telling and sharing the stories of the Church in Africa: Its joys, pains, and sorrows,” AMECEA Secretary General, Fr. Anthony Makunde, says in his Goodwill Message on behalf of the Catholic Bishops.

Logo AMECEA

Fr. Makunde adds, “By offering free access to your news items to Catholic Dioceses, parishes, organizations, and individuals, you have not only increased awareness of the activities of the Universal Church but also fostered a deeper sense of Catholic thought and culture in the lives of Catholics everywhere.”

“Thank you for keeping us informed about the Church's mission and developments. We recognize and appreciate this vital role you play in nurturing and strengthening the Catholic faith across Africa,” the Nairobi-based member of Tanzania’s Catholic Archdiocese of Mbeya says.

Fr. Anthony Makunde. Credit: ACI Africa

“May ACI-Africa continue to grow and thrive in its mission, and may God bless your noble efforts and the entire staff abundantly,” Fr. Makunde implores, and adds, “Wishing you many more years of success and impactful service to the Church and its faithful.”

In another Goodwill Message, the President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka, extends his “hearty congratulations to ACI Africa” and adds, “This Catholic news agency has done well in presenting the news about the Church from an African perspective.”

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Logo of the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). Credit: SACBC

Bishop Sipuka notes that ACI Africa has given visibility to the “activities of the Church on the whole continent of Africa and in that way created a sense of pride and identity of the African Church.”

Through ACI Africa, the Local Ordinary of South Africa’s Mthatha Diocese says, “we know how much the Church is present in Africa, alive and engaging.”

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, SACBC President. Credit: SACBC

“Thank you for publicizing the Church in Africa and its engagement on faith, social, and political issues and thus making known her impact on the continent and the universal Church. Keep up the good work and may God Bless you,” the SCBC President says in his Goodwill Message.

In another Goodwill Message, Caritas Africa has commended ACI Africa for its “pivotal role in evangelization, particularly within the Catholic Church in Africa.”

Logo of Caritas Africa. Credit: Caritas Africa

“This milestone is a testament to the invaluable service that ACI Africa provides in the realm of EWTN,” the Reginal Coordinator, Caritas Africa, Lucy Esipila, says in her Goodwill Message.

Ms. Esipila adds, “ACI Africa has significantly contributed to enhancing the visibility of Caritas' impactful work.”

Lucy Esipila, Caritas Africa Secretary General. Credit: Caritas Africa

“Caritas Africa extends its best wishes to ACI Africa for continued success and fruitful collaboration in the years ahead. May your partnership continue to make a meaningful impact in our shared mission,” the Nairobi-based Caritas official says. 

Members of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) have lauded ACI Africa for its “commitment to delivering timely and insightful news.”

“Congratulations on reaching your 5th anniversary! Your dedication to providing timely and insightful Catholic news has been instrumental in enriching the faith and knowledge of the Catholic community across Africa,” PACTPAN members say in their Goodwill Message.

They recognize with appreciation ACI Africa’s commitment to delivering “accurate information and fostering a deeper understanding of the Church's mission.”

Logo of the Pan African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN). Credit: PACTPAN

“May your continued efforts in Catholic journalism continue to inspire and inform, uplifting the faith of many and strengthening the Catholic community across Africa. Wishing you many more years of impactful service and blessings,” PACTPAN members implore.

The leadership of Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) under the auspices of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP/Pauline Sisters) has expressed gratitude to ACI Africa for their collaboration over the years.

Logo of Paulines Publications Africa (PPA)

“Paulines Publications Africa has been one of your best beneficiaries because you have been in close collaboration with us, especially telling the story of our life as Daughters of Saint Paul, as publishers who carry out this mission so that we reach many people, and especially to serve our Catholic Church here in Africa,” PPA Directress, Sr. Praxides Nafula, says.

Sr. Nafula adds, “We want to thank God for this significant milestone in your news service. Five years is not a joke and the impact that you are already creating in the lives of the people and the Catholic Church in Africa; we can feel it; we can see that our stories from our African continent are being told to the outside world through your news service.” 

Sr. Praxides Nafula. Credit: Paulines Publications Africa

Through ACI Africa, the Nairobi-based FSP member continues, “we see that our Christian faith is grown in Africa; and ACI Africa has been able to bring this to light. Indeed, you are doing a great apostolate, and the Church in Africa is really appreciating you; thank you so much.”

Meanwhile, the Second Vice President of the Regional Union of West African Priests (RUPWA) has lauded ACI Africa’s focus on local Church activities.

ACI Africa has made “significant efforts to showcase the realities of our Church, from major institutions to simple Parish Priests,” Fr. Peter Konteh says, adding, “Bravo to ACI Africa for its fantastic work in evangelization through media.”

Fr. Peter Konteh, Second Vice President of the Regional Union of the Diocesan Priests of West Africa (RUPWA)

On its part, the leadership of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI), an entity of SACBC, has acknowledged ACI Africa’s role in raising global awareness about critical issues.

“I have had extremely positive experiences with ACI Africa. They always report the truth as they hear it, without favour or prejudice. They have gone the extra mile to highlight issues that the Church on the grassroots feel is important and the quality of journalism has overall been superb,” the Director of DHPI, Johan Viljoen, says in his Goodwill Message. 

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He adds, “I want to congratulate ACI Africa, and I wish you the best and more collaboration.”

In Angola, the Parish Priest of St. John Calabria Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda has recognized ACI Africa’s coverage of the desecration of his parish after a robbery incident. 

Fr. Hilário Dumba

“Thank you for your swift reporting which helped us receive aid and support,” Fr. Hilário Dumba says referring to the reception of two ciboria donated by Members of St Norbert's Parish in Paoli, PA, in the U.S. following ACI Africa’s report on the robbery incident.

 “Congratulations on your fifth anniversary. May your mission continue to resonate worldwide,” the Angolan Catholic Priest implores.

In Cameroon, Catholic journalist Martin Jumbam has lauded ACI Africa’s “thorough analysis” of events.

“I congratulate ACI Africa and your staff on the thorough analysis of events, be they political, economic, social, and especially religious, as they touch the Catholic Church that is in Africa and my country, Cameroon in particular,” Mr. Jumbam says, and implores, “May God bless you.”

Mr. Martin Jumbam

On his part, Fr. Beltus Asanji Tabefor, a Catholic Priest serving in the Archdiocese of Bamenda has acknowledged ACI Africa’s role in providing credible Catholic news. 

“ACI Africa is one of the most credible media sources we have in Africa, especially as far as Catholic news is concerned,” Fr. Tabefor says.

Fr. Beltus Asanji Tabefor

He adds, “ACI Africa is that major platform that we as Catholics need to follow. We need to get ourselves informed; we need to spread the gospel using the media.”