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Africa
Nuns in Burkina Faso Providing Safe Haven for Victims of Ongoing Violence
Days after reports cited West African-based official of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) calling upon stakeholders in the African Sahel region to go beyond military intervention and address the root causes of the region’s conflict including “extreme poverty, high youth unemployment, a lack of education,” leaders of a religious congregation of nuns have shared about their initiative in providing a safe haven for victims of the conflict.
“Trafficking of fake drugs, hidden side of failing health system in Africa”: A Reflection
Some days after African leaders and stakeholders in the health industry met in Togo for a summit to counter the trafficking of fake drugs in the world’s second largest continent, an African missionary priest ministering in the West African country is of the opinion that for the initiative to succeed, reform of the health system in Africa is necessary.
Holy See, DR Congo Agreement “a new beginning for Church and State”: Archbishop
An Archbishop in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has welcomed the ratification of the framework agreement between the Holy See and his country that took place at the Vatican last week saying the initiative represents a new dawn of engagements “between the Catholic Church and the state.”
Major Superiors in Nigeria Push for “an active protective policy” to Safeguard Minors
Against the backdrop of child sexual abuse, human trafficking and terrorism, the Major Superiors of different Religious Orders in Nigeria have recommended that child safeguarding policies be developed in all dioceses and Church institutions of the West African country in view of protecting minors and vulnerable adults from abuse.
Reconciliation a Top Priority for Peaceful Elections in Ivory Coast, Bishops Say
As eligible voters in the West African nation of Ivory Coast prepare to go to the polls in October, Catholic Bishops in the country have, at the end of their Plenary Assembly, highlighted four issues that need to be addressed to avert a possible post-election crisis, top on their list, reconciliation. Other issues include dialogue, the independence of the electoral commission, and respect for the country’s Constitution.
Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda Bishops Reaffirm Commitment “to be witnesses, artisans of peace”
The Bishops at the helm of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC) that brings together heads of dioceses in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have, in their Ordinary session, reaffirmed their commitment to working for peace in their region faced with insecurity and political instability.
Catholics in Kenya to Foster “stewardship” During Lenten Season 2020
With this year’s Season of Lent starting February 26, the Catholic Bishops in the East African nation of Kenya are expecting Catholics in the country to focus their attention on “stewardship” during the 40-day period, striving to take good care of God’s creation and gifts with “more respect, solidarity and vigilance.”
Martin Luther King's Dream "was about the bettering of humanity"
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a time to reflect on King’s vision and his example for everyone as a Christian leader who engaged in effective social action, said a leader with a historically African-American Catholic fraternity.
One of Four Nigerian Seminarians Freed, Receiving Medication at Catholic Hospital
One of the four Nigerian first-year philosophy seminarians abducted January 8 from the Kaduna-based Good Shepherd Major Seminary was freed Saturday, January 18, having been dumped by the kidnappers along Nigeria’s Kaduna-Abuja highway. He was rescued by some Good Samaritans and he is receiving medication at a Catholic health facility, multiple sources have told ACI Africa.
Suspected Murderer of Belgian Priest in South Africa “well known to him”
The young man suspected to have murdered a missionary priest who was engaged in parish ministry in South Africa’s diocese of Klerksdorp last week was well known to the late cleric, has already been arraigned in court over the killing and is set to be presented to the court again “to apply for bail,” ACI Africa has been told.
North African Churches’ Transfer to Propaganda Fide Aimed “to provide effective ministry”
The decision by Pope Francis to transfer four Churches in the region of North Africa from the competence of the Congregation for Bishops to that of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide) was informed by the need to provide “more effective pastoral and evangelizing ministry” in the respective circumscriptions, ACI Africa has established.
Women Targeted in Interreligious Conference “to have a voice within religious space”
Women are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of an interreligious conference in Kenya to be held at a Nairobi-based Catholic Institute of higher learning aimed at empowering them so that their voices are heard “within religious space,” one of the organizers of the event has told ACI Africa.
Caritas DR Congo Distances Itself from Claims of “disrupting payment to schools”
The General Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC – (CENCO) has denied claims that a bank institution affiliated to the Catholic Church together with other banks in the central African nation are disrupting the payment of money allocated to schools in the country.
Church in Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland Set to Unveil a New Pastoral Plan
The Church in Southern Africa is set to launch a new pastoral plan that will replace the one that has guided evangelization activities in the countries of Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland for the last 30 years.
Catholic Teacher Training College in S. Sudan to Adopt New “student-centered” Curriculum
Solidarity with South Sudan (SSS), a Catholic collaborative entity of religious congregations involved in capacity building in the world’s youngest nation through education, health, agriculture and pastoral programs, has expressed readiness to adopt the new education curriculum, commending the government for introducing a student-centered approach to learning, a method that allows learners a level of independence designed to foster their creativity.
Church in Cameroon to hold National Days of Prayer for Respect of Human Life
As the crisis affecting English-Speaking regions of Cameroon continues to deepen amid reports of violence, human rights violation and other forms of untold suffering in these parts of the Central African nation, Bishops in the country have, at the end of their annual seminar in Obala, called for National Days of prayer for the respect of human life in all dioceses across the country.
Sahel Crisis: CRS Official Advices Going “beyond military to address root causes”
Some days after France and five Sahel nations in Western Africa met and agreed early this week to advance their military cooperation in the fight against jihadist insurgency destabilizing the countries of the region, a West African-based official of the humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has underscored the need for stakeholders “to address the root causes of the conflict” even as military interventions are being considered.
“Solidarity with South Sudan” Seeking to Recruit Rome-Based Mission Promoter
The collaborative association comprising men and women religious institutes and members of the Unions of Superiors General (USG) in partnership with the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) known as Solidarity with South Sudan (SSS) is seeking to engage a new Rome-based personnel to facilitate the flow of information between the various religious orders and the officials in South Sudan capital, Juba.
CAR Church Admits Sexual Abuse Cases, Sets Up Commission to “sensitize Church leaders”
The Church in the Central African Republic (CAR) has admitted to incidences of sexual abuse of minors and has responded by taking steps toward the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons by setting up a commission to examine cases of abuse.
Nuns in Nigeria Commended for Fight against Human Trafficking at Ongoing Conference
The brave fight mounted by religious sisters against human traffickers in Nigeria has been a key highlight of the ongoing conference that has brought together religious men and women in the west African country.
