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Africa
Bishops in Burundi Denounce Recent General Elections, Highlight “many irregularities”
Members of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi (CECAB) have denounced the recent general elections in their country alleging “many irregularities”, which they say put to question the outcome of the poll announced Monday, May 25.
Plan to Reopen Places of Worship in South Africa Draws Mixed Reactions from Church Leaders
The announcement by South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa May 26 that places of worship may reopen beginning from June 1 has elicited mixed reactions from church leaders in the country, some welcoming the move and others terming it as questionable.
Angolan Bishop Who Ordained Over 300 Priests, Founded Association for Catholic Women Dies
The Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Benguela in Angola who, during his 45-year episcopacy ordained at least 300 priests, founded an Association for Catholic women, and revived the Scouts movement, among other accomplishments in the course of his ministry in the Southern African nation, died Tuesday, May 26.
UK-based Catholic Agency Supporting South Sudanese Organizations’ COVID-19 Response
The humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is supporting local organizations in the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, in their response to COVID-19 crisis, an official of the UK-based organization in South Sudan has said.
Church in South Africa Reaches Out to Poor Families Defying Lockdown to Beg
Hard pressed to evade starvation amid stringent COVID-19 restrictions, poor families in South Africa are risking contagion and moving from house to house to beg, a situation that has attracted the attention of Salesian missionaries working in the Southern African country.
Churches in DR Congo Partner with European Union for €2m COVID-19 Sensitization Program
Church leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have partnered with the European Union (EU) for a nine-month sensitization project dubbed “Support project for the prevention of COVID-19 in the DRC through communication for behavior change during and after the epidemic” worth Eur.2 million (US$2.17 million).
Pope Francis’ Representative in Zambia Donates COVID-19 Equipment to Three Hospitals
In a bid to support the efforts undertaken by Catholic Church leaders in Zambia in the fight against COVID-19, the representative of Pope Francis in the Southern Africa nation has donated three ventilators and N95 as well as surgical masks to benefit three hospitals, saying the donation was part of the Holy Father’s initiative to help “all the African countries.” The Apostolic Nuncio in the country, Archbishop Giafranco Gallone delivered the items to Bishop Moses Hamungole on behalf of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) on Monday, May 25. “I know that this is a small gesture in this moment, but the Holy Father is helping all the African countries (by) sending the same contribution,” Archbishop Gallone has been quoted as saying during the handing over ceremony at ZCCB Secretariat in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. The Italian Prelate who represents Pope Francis in neighboring Malawi as well added in reference to the Holy Father, “It is his concern as a good father towards those that are suffering and do not have the necessary means to be able to cure themselves.”. The three ventilators will be used at Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital, Lusaka, Chilonga Mission Hospital in Muchinga province, northeast Zambia and St. Dominics' Mission Hospital in the Copperbelt province, south of the country. The three hospitals, the Apostolic Nuncio noted, “are without proper instruments to help COVID-19 patients.” Zambia has recorded at least 920 cases, 336 recoveries and seven related deaths. Appreciating the donation from the Holy Father, Sr. Elizabeth Njovu from St. Dominics’ Mission Hospital noted that the ventilators “will ultimately save lives, make their mission work easy, and offer excellent response services in the three facilities.” “The health sector, being at the frontline in the fight against the scourge has faced the most impact mainly because the fight has taken a colossal amount of resources, which would have been allocated evenly to fights of other health issues,” Sr. Njovu said. During the handing over ceremony, the Apostolic Nuncio revealed that Pope Francis is also concerned about people who have lost jobs in Africa as a result of COVID-19, and who are affected by the looming hunger crisis. “Aided by his collaborators, he (Pope Francis) has great desire to find (the) right ways of implementing charitable interventions for a possible food emergency throughout Africa,” the Nuncio said and added, “We hope that the situation could be mitigated by the aid of the international community.” Reiterating the words of Pope Francis expressing his solidarity with those affected by the pandemic, the 57-year-old Prelate said, “I express my closeness to those who are suffering from COVID-19, to those who are dedicated to their care and to all those who, in any way, are suffering from the pandemic.”
St. Pierre Major Seminarians in Burkina Faso Receive Boost in COVID-19 Fight
Seminarians at St. Pierre Major Seminary in Burkina Faso are going to benefit from a financial donation from the international Catholic charity organization, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), offered to support the fight against the possible spread of COVID-19 at the Kossoghin-based institution in the Central part of the West African nation.
Youth Group in Ghana Concludes Laudato Si’ Week with Tree Planting Initiative
Among an array of activities to close the week-long celebrations of Laudato Si’, the Ignitian Youth Network (IYNIGO), an Arrupe Jesuit Institute youth empowerment movement in Ghana attended Holy Mass that was marked by planting of trees as a gesture of their commitment towards environmental sustainability.
Uganda’s Kampala Archdiocese to Celebrate Martyrs’ Day with "a few chosen people"
In line with the recommendation of the leadership of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) that each Local Ordinary in the East African nation gives guidance for the June 3 Martyrs’ Day celebration amid COVID-19 restrictions, the Archbishop of Uganda’s Kampala Archdiocese has announced that the celebration in his jurisdiction will take place with a limited congregation.
Christian Communicators in Africa Urged “to make people see a larger story with God”
On the occasion of the 54th World Communications Day (WCD) this year marked Sunday, May 24, the leadership of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) has called on media practitioners on the continent who practice the Christian faith to tell stories that make people visualize the bigger picture of their respective lives, with God at the center.
“We are concerned about the current political mood in the country”: Bishops in Kenya
Bishops in Kenya are concerned about the “divisive politics” being witnessed in the country at a time when political leaders are expected to demonstrate the unity of purpose in the fight against COVID-19.
The Eight Issues of Concern for Bishops in Malawi Who Want “a new era”
Catholic Bishops in the Southeastern Africa nation of Malawi have, in a collective message, outlined eight issues they describe as “current concerns and challenges that need urgent attention.”
On Africa Day, Africans Urged to “protect their heritage from organized criminal agents.”
On Africa Day this year, the Coalition for Africa’s Liberation and Restoration (CALAR), a collaborative initiative of numerous groups on the continent and in the diaspora, has called on Africans in all parts of the world to wake up and claim their rights and dignity and to “protect their heritage from organized criminal agents.”
Church Leaders in Africa Encourage “stories of hope” on World Communications Day
On the occasion of the 54th World Communications Day (WCD), Church leaders and representatives of Catholic communication entities in Africa have, in separate messages, encouraged the telling of stories of hope amid the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
Individual Bishops in Zambia to Make “final decision” on Resuming Public Celebrations
Members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) have resolved to have individual Local Ordinaries in the Southern African nation make “the final decision” on the resumption of liturgical celebrations in their respective dioceses, including the measures to curb the possible spread of COVID-19.
Bishops in Kenya Renew Campaign against Comprehensive Sexuality Education Commitment
Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have renewed their opposition to the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in the country in an online campaign that aims at collecting at least ten thousand signatures from Kenyans.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Reopens with Restrictions
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is reopening this weekend, after being closed in late March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Catholic Women Groups in Ghana Donate to COVID-19 Fund, A Response to Bishops’ Call
Two Catholic women groups in the West African nation of Ghana have, in separate ceremonies, donated to the National solidarity fund to help in the fight against COVID-19, responding to the appeal made by their Bishops in March.
“Christians, Muslims called to tear down walls raised out of fear”: South Sudanese Prelate
As Muslims celebrate Eid, marking the end of their holy month of Ramadan, the Archbishop of Juba in South Sudan has called on Christians and Muslims in the country to reach out to each other, breaking down barriers erected out of “fear and ignorance.”
