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Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Nigeria's Oyo Diocese. Credit: Oyo Diocese

In Christmas Message, Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Urges Christians to “embrace others in love, peace, reconciliation”

Dec 27, 2024

Christmas offers an opportunity for Christians to renew their commitment to the virtues of “love, peace, and reconciliation”, embracing the true spirit of the person of Jesus Christ,  Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Oyo has said.

Today, December 27, We Celebrate St. John the Apostle

Dec 27, 2024

St. John, the son of Zebedee and brother of St. James the Great, was called to be an Apostle by our Lord in the first year of His public ministry. He became the "beloved disciple" and the only one of the Twelve who did not forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion. He stood faithfully at the cross when Christ made him the guardian of His Mother.

Let’s Destroy “walls of separation”, Burkinabe Catholic Archbishop at Christmas, Urges “building bridges of communion”

Dec 26, 2024

The people of God in Burkina Faso need to embrace a lifestyle that fosters peaceful coexistence, abandoning behaviors, which contribute to prolonging violent conflicts in the West African nation that grapples with the challenge of “insecurity and other crimes”, Archbishop Prosper Kontiebo of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Ouagadougou has said.

May Christmas 2024 Help Realize “hope that is active, transformative”: Catholic Bishops in Cameroon’s Troubled Region

Dec 26, 2024

Two Catholic Bishops ministering in the midst of the protracted Anglophone crisis in the Central African nation of Cameroon are praying that Christmas 2024 that started off with the official launch of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year may usher in “active (and) transformative” hope in their region and country.

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica before Mass on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024, officially launching the Jubilee Year 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

U.S.-based Jubilee Network Partners with Caritas International in Debt Relief Campaign for Needy, Including in Africa

Dec 26, 2024

Representatives from Caritas Internationalis and Jubilee USA Network announced the five-year campaign, “Turn Debt into Hope,” on Dec. 23.

Three Kings. / Credit: NataBystrova/Shutterstock

When Does Christmas Actually End? Here Are the Different Views

Dec 26, 2024

Just how many days is Christmas? When should you take the tree down and remove the decorations?

Today, December 26, We Celebrate St. Stephen

Dec 26, 2024

Just after Christmas, the Catholic Church remembers its first martyr, and one of its first deacons, Saint Stephen. Roman Catholics celebrate his feast Dec. 26, while Eastern Catholics honor him one day later.

Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina in Nigeria. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Katsina

We’re “finding creative methods to reach people”: Pioneer Bishop of One-Year-Old Nigerian Catholic Diocese

Dec 25, 2024

The Catholic Diocese of Katsina whose erection the Vatican made public on 16 October 2023 is realizing “creative methods” of evangelization, the pioneer Local Ordinary has said in an interview. 

Fatima sewing clothes for a customer in her home, surrounded by her children. Credit: Jesuits Refugee Service (JRS)

Jesuit Entity Giving Livelihood Assistance to Locals Displaced by Terrorists in Nigeria

Dec 25, 2024

The Jesuits Refugee Service (JRS) is providing education and livelihood assistance to people who have been displaced by Islamists in Nigeria’s embattled Borno State.

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie visits Emelyne, a little girl he has sponsored since 2023, in Rwanda. / Credit: Unbound

"So powerful": Catholic Actor, Jonathan Roumie, on Sponsoring African Children Through Charity

Dec 25, 2024

In 2023, Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie partnered with Unbound, a Catholic child-sponsorship charity, to support the organization’s 1 millionth child.

Today, December 25, We Celebrate The Nativity of The Lord - Christmas

Dec 25, 2024

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131; in Latin Dies Natalis.

Fr. Alain Mayama, Superior General of the Spiritans

Superior of 321-year-old Order with Dominant African Membership Cautions against “impoverished” Spirituality

Dec 24, 2024

There is a growing “spiritual crisis” among some members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers/CSSp.), the Superior General of the 321-year-old Missionary Congregation with members across all continents, most them natives of Africa, has warned.

Stephen Cardinal Ameyu of South Sudan’s Catholic Archdiocese of Juba. Credit: Radio Maria South Sudan

“Let's give one another light, life, not darkness”: Cardinal in South Sudan in Christmas Message

Dec 24, 2024

Stephen Cardinal Ameyu of South Sudan’s Catholic Archdiocese of Juba has called upon the people of God to be promoters of good news that contributes to preservation of life and hope.

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM)

Catholic Bishops in Mozambique Appeal for Peace, Justice ahead of Christmas, Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year Celebrations

Dec 24, 2024

Mozambique’s Catholic Bishops are appealing for peace, justice, and reconciliation ahead of Christmas festivities that are to begin with the official inauguration of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year on December 24.

Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi. Credit: Ahiara Diocese

On First Episcopal Anniversary, Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Grateful for “fruits of the journey so far”

Dec 24, 2024

On his first Episcopal anniversary, Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Ahiara has expressed his gratitude to God and those, who have supported his ministry since his Episcopal Consecration on 19 December 2023.

Today, Friday, December 24, We Celebrate Vigil of Christmas

Dec 24, 2024

In the first ages, during the night before every feast, a vigil was kept. In the evening the faithful assembled in the place or church where the feast was to be celebrated and prepared themselves by prayers, readings from Holy Writ (now the Offices of Vespers and Matins), and sometimes also by hearing a sermon.

“Clearly forbidden”: Religious Leaders in Sierra Leone Oppose Government Plan to Legalize Abortion

Dec 23, 2024

The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) has opposed a draft Bill that seeks to legalize abortion in the West African nation, noting that the Bill “gravely” contradicts religious teachings in the country.

Be “living witness of God’s love”: Catholic Bishop in Ivory Coast to Woman Religious at Final Vows, Emphasizes Fidelity

Dec 23, 2024

Bishop Honoré Beugré Dakpa of the Catholic Diocese of Katiola in Ivory Coast has called upon Sr. Rosalie Kpanda Tuo to live a life that demonstrates God’s love.

Cardinal in South Sudan Expresses Hope in “Tumaini Peace Initiative”, Condemns Violence in Tombura-Yambio Diocese

Dec 23, 2024

Stephen Cardinal Ameyu of South Sudan’s Catholic Archdiocese of Juba has expressed optimism about the “Tumaini Peace Initiative”, the high-level mediation forum that seeks to address the civil war in South Sudan, incorporating groups that are not party to the 2018 the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere. Credit: Kampala Archdiocese

“Stop intimidating and extorting Ugandans”: Catholic Archbishop Urges Security Officers

Dec 23, 2024

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala in Uganda has appealed to security officers in the East African country to stop intimidating and extorting money from Ugandans following reported cases of police brutality and harassment in the country.