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The flag of Nigeria on a military uniform. Bumble Dee/Shutterstock.

“People are presently living in fear”: Eyewitness on Aftermath of Recent Military Invasion of Churches in Nigeria

Aug 31, 2024

Residents of Umunze, a community in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, are gripped by “fear and uncertainty” following the military's invasion of their churches on August 18, disrupting public worship in various places, including some Catholic Parishes in Ekwulobia Diocese.

Kenyan Nun Appeals to Catholic Bishops to Address Pastoral Needs of Women Religious Serving in Non-Catholic Institutions

Aug 30, 2024

A huge pastoral gap exists among women Religious serving in non-Catholic institutions, a Kenyan Catholic Nun has said, and proposed that the Church addresses the pastoral needs of Catholic Sisters serving in non-Catholic settings, especially when designing Diocesan and national pastoral programs.    

Catholic Charity Condemns Massacre of 26 Christians after Attack on Church in Burkina Faso, Appeals for Prayer for Peace

Aug 30, 2024

The Pontifical charity foundation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, has condemned a recent terrorist attack on a Church in Burkina Faso that claimed the lives of 26 people, many of them Christians.

Credit: ACI Africa

Madagascar’s Eucharistic Congress Spurs Renewed Commitment to Eucharistic Life

Aug 29, 2024

The recently concluded National Eucharistic Congress (KEN 2024)  in Madagascar has been hailed as a “unique moment” for the Indian Ocean Island nation that fostered a “deep sense of unity and spiritual renewal.”

The first-ever resident Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan. Credit: Radio Maria South Sudan

Pioneer Resident Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan Upbeat about Mission in World’s Youngest Nation

Aug 29, 2024

The first-ever resident Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan who was appointed in May this year has expressed his eagerness to serve in the East-Central African country, noting that he looks forward to the success of his mission in the world’s youngest nation.

Nigeria’s Recent Protests “fight against symptoms”, Catholic Bishop Advocates for Addressing “origins” of Bad Governance

Aug 29, 2024

Nigerians need to explore ways of addressing the root causes of bad governance in their country, a Catholic Bishop in the West African nation has said. 

Fr. Peter Uche Onuoha

Concern as Sisters in Nigeria Visit Non-Catholic “healing” Ministries for Miracles

Aug 29, 2024

A Nigerian Catholic Priest has expressed concern over the increasing involvement of Catholic Nuns in unapproved non-denominational ministries, with some claiming they encountered miracles after visiting the ministries.

Désiré Cardinal Tsarahazana. Credit: ACI Africa

Cardinal in Madagascar Defends Traditional Family Values, Advocates for “deepening faith, unity” amid Global Challenges

Aug 28, 2024

Désiré Cardinal Tsarahazana, the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toamasina in Madagascar, has defended the country’s traditional family values and marriage, including the concept of procreation and the union between a man and a woman. 

Bishop Augustine Ndubueze Echema of the Catholic Diocese of Aba in Nigeria. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Aba

“Catholic Liturgy is not a theatre”: Nigerian Catholic Bishop to Priests Introducing Cultural Practices in Holy Mass

Aug 28, 2024

Catholic Priests in Nigeria have been cautioned against “mutilating” Liturgy by introducing aspects of their cultures in Liturgical celebrations.

Cameroonian Catholic Archbishop on How Synod on Synodality Evolved from Pastoral to “more academic, intellectual topic”

Aug 27, 2024

The Synod on Synodality, which started off as a pastoral issue, bringing on board every baptized member of the Church, has now become a “theoretical” topic for intellectuals, the Archbishop of Cameroon’s Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda has observed.

Bishop Jean Pascal Andriantsoavina of the Catholic Diocese of Antsirabé in Madagascar. Credit: ACI Africa

Fraternity Emphasized at Madagascar’s Eucharistic Congress as “remedy that can restore broken relationships”

Aug 27, 2024

Fostering fraternity can go a long way in addressing the negative effects of disunity in families as well as wounds resulting from a life of sin, Bishop Jean Pascal Andriantsoavina of the Catholic Diocese of Antsirabé in Madagascar has said.

Deadly Attack on Police Officers in Cameroon’s Southwest Region an “act that violates human life”: Catholic Bishop

Aug 27, 2024

The Catholic Bishop of Buea Diocese in Cameroon has “strongly” condemned the killing of police officers in the country’s Southwest region following an attack on their security post located in his Episcopal See.

Catholic Nun Proposes Formation that Addresses Childhood Traumas, “inappropriate sexual behaviours” among African Youths

Aug 27, 2024

Childhood traumas are likely to lead one into sexual behaviours that a Nigerian American Catholic Sister has referred to as “inappropriate”.

Africa’s “vehement no” on Hot-button Topics of Women Deacons, LGBTQ Guided by Scripture, Church Teachings: Archbishop

Aug 26, 2024

The Archbishop of Cameroon’s Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda has faulted claims that the Church in Africa is only influenced by culture when taking a position on controversial topics, especially those raised in the ongoing multi-year Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis extended to 2024, with the first phase, 4-29 October 2023, having concluded with a 42-page summary report.

Sr. Inês Paulo Albino

Bissau-Guinean Catholic Nun Appointed Secretary General of Pontifical Society for Missionary Childhood

Aug 26, 2024

Pope Francis has appointed Sr. Inês Paulo Albino of the Institute of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) as the new Secretary General of the Pontifical Society for Missionary Childhood (PMC).

Pope Francis prays during his general audience on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis in Solidarity with DR Congo’s “so tried” People Affected by Monkeypox

Aug 26, 2024

Pope Francis has expressed solidarity with the thousands of people affected by Monkeypox (Mpox), especially those in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who he describes as “so tried”. 

Désiré Cardinal Tsarahazana. Credit: ACI Africa

Madagascar’s National Eucharistic Congress “will give us the strength to live our faith”: Cardinal

Aug 25, 2024

The August 23-25 National Eucharist Congress (KEN 2024) in Madagascar, the third in the country, could go a long way in strengthening the faith of the people of God in the country, the Cardinal in the Indian Ocean Island nation has said.

“This Congress will help us achieve fraternity”: Catholic Archbishop on Madagascar’s National Eucharistic Congress

Aug 24, 2024

The August 23-25 National Eucharist Congress in Madagascar, the third in the country, can help the Indian Ocean Island nation “achieve” peaceful co-existence, a Catholic Archbishop in the country has said. In his homily during the opening Mass of KEN 2024, Archbishop Benjamin Marc Balthason Ramaroson underscored the need for spiritual renewal and highlighted the role of the Eucharistic Congress in achieving fraternity in Madagascar as important. “This congress will help us achieve fraternity in our country and the world. The world is already destroyed in every way and needs healing,” Archbishop Ramaroson said, and added, “If we want fraternity to reign in this world, we must first change ourselves.” To achieve this transformation, the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana said, participants in the Eucharistic celebration that was held at Kianjasoa stadium needed to arm themselves with three essential virtues: “generosity, service, and truth.” On his part, President Andry Rajoelina expressed his gratitude and that of the State for the Catholic Church's contribution to society.  “It is only fair that the State supports the actions of the Church in return, as it does a lot for the well-being of the population,” President Rajoelina said. He said fraternity is “important and worthy of consideration for us to take on the tasks and challenges we will face, for the development of the country.” The President of the Indian Ocean nation donated a 5-hectare land to the Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana. The Malagasy Metropolitan See plans to build facilities on this land to assist the residents.  President Rajoelina also promised to contribute to the construction of the St. Francis of Assisi Church. Meanwhile, in his message to participants of the Eucharistic Congress, the President of the Episcopal Commission for the Laity and Pastoral Care at CEM,  Archbishop Jean de Dieu Raoelison, called for staying “away from anything that may cause division and strife because Christ has united us all as one in Himself on the Cross.” “Take advantage of this Congress to gain strength to approach all people and to approach God,” Archbishop Raoelison said. He implored, “May faith in Jesus Christ in the Eucharist fill our hearts and be reflected in our lives.” The Malagasy Catholic Archbishop further implored, “We wish a holy pilgrimage for all of us participating in this National Eucharistic Congress and may this great celebration bring good results for our souls. May the Blessed Virgin Mary help and support us to examine carefully in our hearts.” Organized under the theme, “Fraternity to Heal the World: You are all brothers and sisters (Mt 23:8),” the August 23-25 Eucharistic Congress aims to restore the value of fraternity among the people of God in the Indian Ocean Island nation.    

Sr. Grace Kyomugisha, elected President of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA)

Newly Elected President of Catholic Nuns in Eastern, Central Africa Association Urges Synergy, “deepening” of Charisms

Aug 23, 2024

The newly elected president of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) has, in her acceptance speech, called for synergy among members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) in the region.

Fr. Dennis Etti. Credit: Catholic Trends

Catholic Priest in Ghana Lauds “rising active lay Apostolate” in the Church in Africa

Aug 23, 2024

More than ever before, the Laity in Africa is seeking more involvement in the Church, the Vice Superior of the Ghana Province of the Society of African Missions, (SMA) has said, noting that lay people on the continent are no longer satisfied with being “mere consumers of sacraments”.