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Africa

Andrew Walther / Courtesy photo

EWTN Leadership Appoints New President, Chief Operating Officer for EWTN News

May 8, 2020

Global Catholic Network, the world’s largest Catholic media organization, announced Friday that Andrew Walther – an experienced Catholic journalist, media executive, and advocate for persecuted Christians – has been named president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, Inc. The appointment is effective June 1.

Bishop James Maria Wainaina of Kenya’s Murang’a Diocese. / Mr Kenya TV

Why a Kenyan Bishop is Concerned about Trials of COVID-19 Vaccine on Kenyans

May 8, 2020

Reports that potential COVID-19 drugs and vaccine could be tried on Kenyans have attracted criticism from citizens of the East African nation, including a Catholic Bishop who, in a statement, has explained why such alleged trials would undermine the dignity of Kenyans and amount to a breach of the country’s constitution.

The Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Bishop Anthony Zziwa and  Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda> / Courtesy

Myths about COVID-19 “put lives of Ugandans at risk,” Bishops in Uganda Caution

May 8, 2020

Bishops in Uganda have cautioned citizens against mythical narratives about COVID-19, saying the assumptions endanger the lives of many in the East African nation.

Some young girls at the City of Hope in Zambia. / City of Hope

How Salesian Sisters in Zambia are Supporting Vulnerable Children amid COVID-19

May 8, 2020

In a bid to keep vulnerable children in Zambia safe during the COVID-19 crisis, the female branch of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, have undertaken various initiatives to support the children.

Logo Caritas Senegal

Caritas Senegal Redirects Climate Change Funds Towards COVID-19 Fight

May 8, 2020

The Catholic Church in Senegal through its charity arm, Caritas Senegal, has announced the interruption of a fundraising initiative launched in March to alleviate effects of climate change and asked for permission to redirect the funds collected towards the battle against COVID-19 in the west African country.

Some Ghanaian Catholic Basic School Pupils of Accra who while at home are to participate in the virtual Television lessons being organised by organised for Basic and Senior High Schools by the Ghana Education Service and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation which kick-started on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

Catholic Education Leadership in Ghana Lauds TV Learning Program as “good initiative”

May 8, 2020

The Catholic education authority in Ghana has applauded efforts by the government to launch a virtual television learning program, which the Accra-based leadership says will keep learners engaged away from schools that were closed in March to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the West African nation.  

Bishop Ambroise Ouédraogo of Maradi Diocese, Niger. / ACN

Closure of Churches Spells Danger for “lukewarm Christians”: Bishop in Niger

May 7, 2020

A Bishop in Niger, reflecting on the post-COVID-19 era, has said that while some Christians will come out of the pandemic stronger than before, there are those whose faith will have deteriorated as a result of the lockdown imposed on the churches in the West African country since March.

Sisters of Notre Dame du Lac de Bam (SNDLB) in Burkina Faso at the celebration of their 5oth anniversary in 2017.

Notre Dame Nuns Supporting Families, IDPs amid Insecurity, COVID-19 Crisis in Burkina Faso

May 7, 2020

The Sisters of Notre Dame du Lac de Bam (SNDLB) in Burkina Faso are braving harsh conditions caused by years of insecurity and now COVID-19 to support families and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the West African country, contributing to their livelihood.

Bishop Nicolas Pierre Jean Lhernould of the Diocese of Constantine in Algeria.

Christians and Muslims in Algeria “maintain links” despite Lockdown: Bishop of Constantine

May 7, 2020

Christians and Muslims in the North African nation of Algeria have sought to maintain interpersonal connections going beyond religion amid COVID-19 restrictions and the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, the Bishop of Constantine told Vatican News in an interview.

The logo of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Liberia (CABICOL)

Bishops in Liberia Decry “gross violations” in Enforcing COVID-19 State of Emergency

May 7, 2020

Bishops in the West African nation of Liberia have decried brutality on the part of security agencies in the process of enforcing the three-week state of emergency, which the country’s President declared on April 10 as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Nigeria's Archdiocese of Abuja.

“Church cannot administer Sacraments by phone, modern technology”: Nigerian Archbishop

May 7, 2020

The Archbishop of Abuja in Nigeria, Ignatius Kaigama, has clarified despite restrictions on social and religious gatherings put in place as a COVID-19 measure, the Church cannot administer the Sacraments through modern technology “or by proxy.”

Fr. Leonard Chiti, Provincial Leader of the Society of Jesus for Zambia-Malawi (ZAM) Province. / The Society of Jesus for Zambia-Malawi (ZAM) Province.

Take Steps “to heal inequality, poverty” in Zambia: Jesuits at Launch of COVID-19 Relief

May 6, 2020

The leadership of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Zambia and Malawi has expressed concerns over inequality and the level of poverty in the Southern Africa nation of Zambia amid COVID-19, calling on the government to work toward addressing the gap and give an opportunity for affected people to bounce back.  

Macky Sall, President of Senegal.

Senegal’s President Recounts His “constructive conversation with Pope Francis”

May 6, 2020

Senegal’s President Macky Sall has recounted his discussion with Pope Francis at the beginning of this week, terming it as “constructive” and mutually enriching.

Sr Ana Gutierrez, a Spanish Nun serving at the Bikok Catholic Health Centre on the outskirts of Cameroon's capital Yaounde. / Vatican News

“Making people believe COVID-19 exists a major challenge”: Spanish Nun Serving in Cameroon

May 6, 2020

A Spanish nun serving as a doctor in the Central African nation of Cameroon says the major challenge she is facing at the present time is making residents believe that COVID-19 is a real pandemic.

Fr. Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bouake Archdiocese, Ivory Coast.

Ivorian Cleric Lecturing in France Appointed Auxiliary Bishop in Ivory Coast

May 6, 2020

Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa, a lecturer at the University of Strasbourg in France, as the Auxiliary Bishop of Bouake Archdiocese located in central Ivory Coast.

Fr. Donatien Nshole (Centre) flanked by Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo (left) and Pastor Bokondoa (right) at a Press Conference in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa Friday, May 1, 2020. / CENCO

Religious Leaders in DR Congo Want Modalities of Overseeing COVID-19 Fund Revised

May 5, 2020

Religious leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are seeking a revision of the modalities put in place by the country’s President for the management of COVID-19 Solidarity Fund, which is headed by Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo.

Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli at a past function.

Tanzania’s President Lauds Bishops for Facilitating Public Worship Amid COVID-19 Fears

May 5, 2020

Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli has appreciated the Catholic Bishops in the East African nation for standing firm in faith and offering public Masses amid calls to suspend public worship as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.  

Some residents of Luanda queue at the Emergency Centre for Street Children . / International Volunteering for Development (VIS)

Salesians Open Emergency Centre in Angola to Protect Street Children from COVID-19

May 5, 2020

In an effort to shield street children in Angola from COVID-19, the International Volunteering for Development (VIS), the Non-Governmental Organization of the Religious Institute of Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), has opened a new emergency center in the Southern African nation’s capital, Luanda.  

Bishop John Oballa Owaa (centre) flanked by Bishops Martin Kivuva (left) and Bishop Alfred Rotich (right) at a Press Briefing in Nairobi, Kenya.

“We are concerned”: Bishops in Kenya Over Alleged Misuse of COVID-19 Emergency Fund

May 5, 2020

Catholic Bishops in the East African nation of Kenya have raised concerns over the alleged misappropriation of the over KES.1 billion (US$10 million) COVID-19 Emergency Fund that has been so far raised by well-wishers and corporate firms in view of cushioning vulnerable Kenyans against the impacts of restrictions due to the pandemic.    

Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban of South Sudan's Torit Diocese.

Retired South Sudanese Bishop Recalls a Journey of Perseverance at 40th Anniversary

May 5, 2020

Celebrated Bishop Emeritus of Torit diocese in South Sudan on Monday, May 4 marked his 40th Anniversary as Bishop in the Eastern African country, expressing gratitude that he had remained steadfast in serving the needy through decades of war that he says he has experienced in the country.