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Africa
The Untold Story of South Sudan’s Juba Archdiocese, Archbishop-Elect Has His Work Cut Out
The story of those protesting against Pope Francis’ transfer of Bishop Stephen Ameyu from South Sudan’s Torit diocese to Juba Archdiocese seems to have received significant media coverage. There seems to be no evidence that the narrative of those at home with the planned change of guard in the Archdiocese has been given media visibility.
"Churches will remain open" for Public Mass Celebrations, Bishops in Kenya, Uganda Direct
Church leaders in Kenya and Uganda have, in separate statements issued Thursday, March 19, announced that Churches will remain open in the two East African countries for public Mass, a move that has attracted both praise and condemnation from the faithful as governments take a raft of measures to contain possible spread of COVID-19.
Church in South Africa Suspends Holy Week Celebrations amid Dwindling Resources
As South Africa battles to curb the spread of COVID-19, with officials confirming the first cases of local transmission, including four children aged under six years, the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg has announced that little will be done to mark the Holy Week and Easter celebrations, even as Parishes in the Archdiocese run short of financial resources.
Bishops in Zimbabwe Exclude Children, Sick, Elderly from Attending Mass
While there has not been a reported case of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe, Catholic leaders in the country that is situated in Southern Africa have, as a precautionary measure, advised children, the sick, the elderly and other vulnerable groups not to attend public Mass on Sunday, in adherence to measures put in place by the government.
Funerals, a Family Affair, Burkina Faso Bishops Say as Country Records COVID-19 Death
Catholic Bishops in Burkina Faso and Niger have, in a collective statement, announced the suspension of public Mass in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 after the West African nation of Burkina Faso recorded the first death due to the pandemic.
Ghana Seeks Divine Intervention amid COVID-19, President Hosts Breakfast Prayer Meeting
As the world struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19 with at least 34 countries in Africa declaring cases of the disease, the President of the West African nation of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has convened a breakfast prayer meeting with all Religious Leaders in the country to seek God’s intervention.
Catholic Universities in Africa Embracing Virtual Learning after Closure over COVID-19
Catholic-run institutions of higher learning in Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon and in other African countries have taken to technology-based virtual learning to help students interact with their lecturers in the safety of their homes as various governments on the continent take precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19, the new disease caused by coronavirus.
Ghanaian Cleric Suggests Change of Easter Date amid Calls for Online Church Services
Following a presidential directive to suspend all public religious activities in Ghana for four weeks in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, a religious leader in the west African country has called for the setting of a new date for Easter celebration, expressing concerns that the suspension extends beyond the current date Easter Sunday, April 12.
Cardinal Tagle of Propaganda Fide to Represent Pope Francis at DRC’s Eucharistic Congress
Pope Francis has appointed the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, also known as Propaganda Fide, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as his special envoy at the Third National Eucharistic Congress in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) scheduled to take place in June.
Government Officials in CAR, São Tomé, Reach Out to Church Leaders over COVID-19
As many nations struggle to contain the spread of COVID-19, with reports of at least 30 African countries with confirmed cases, government officials in the Central African Republic (CAR) and São Tomé and Príncipe have reached out to Church leaders in their respective nations to help sensitize the population to avoid the spread of the virus.
“No room for selfishness, individualism” Moroccan Cardinal Urges Solidarity over COVID-19
A Church leader in the north African nation of Morocco has called for solidarity in taking preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic because the deadly virus does not make distinctions between people or geographical borders.
Kenya Seeks Divine Intervention over COVID-19, President Declares National Day of Prayer
Citizens of the East African nation of Kenya are being encouraged “to turn to God”, express their fears and seek His “ever-present protection” as COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, spreads across the globe, with Kenya confirming a fourth case Tuesday, March 17.
Vincentians in Africa Challenged to Value “effective communication” as Leaders
National leaders of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) from English speaking African countries have been challenged to see the value of “effective communication” in their practice of leadership at various National Conferences.
Vicar General of Kenya’s Kitui Diocese Appointed Bishop, Says He’ll Foster Unity, Service
The Vicar General of the Diocese of Kitui in Kenya who has been appointed Bishop of the same diocese has told ACI Africa in an interview that he will prioritize fostering the unity of the people of God and active involvement in evangelization in his episcopal ministry.
Bishops in DRC’s Kisangani Ecclesiastical Province Decry Insecurity, Attacks on Priests
The rising cases of insecurity within the Ecclesiastical Province of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) including “cases of aggression on Priests” is a major concern of Church leaders in the region of the Central African country, acts they have strongly condemned during their recent meeting of the Provincial Episcopal Assembly of Kisangani (ASSEPKIS).
Striking Innovations Steal Show at Ghana’s Catholic Schools Competition
The maiden edition of the Brain Battle Mathematics and Science Quiz for Catholic Basic and Junior High Schools (JHS) in Ghana, organized by the Catholic Education Directorate and Cocktail Media, an NGO under the auspices of the Archbishop of Accra, ended Sunday, March 15, with schools that showcased the most striking scientific innovations walking away with coveted prizes.
In Italy, At Least 10 Priests Are Dead of Coronavirus, and 1 Bishop is Recovering
At least ten priests have died in Italy after contracting COVID-19. More than half of them were from the Diocese of Bergamo, a town outside of Milan in Lombardy.
Ghana is First Nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to Suspend Public Mass Over COVID-19
The West African nation of Ghana has become the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to temporarily suspend the public celebration of the Holy Eucharist, a decision taken by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) amid half a dozen confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Nigerians Eulogize Nun Who Died Saving Others in Sunday Lagos Inferno
The morning of Sunday, March 15 is one that residents of Nigeria’s Abule Ado town in the outskirts of the country’s largest city, Lagos, wish to forget. But for the Catholic Church in the West African country, it is a day that they will remember for the selfless act of a Catholic nun who gave her life while saving school girls in a fire that razed down at least 50 houses, injuring and killing residents in its wake.
South Africa Declares COVID-19 National Disaster, Church Limits Mass to 100
Following the declaration by South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa that COVID-19 is a national disaster in the country, the first declaration of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa with 61 cases confirmed, the Catholic Bishops there have directed clergy, religious and the lay faithful to observe preventive measures including a not-more-than 100-person congregation at Holy Mass.
