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Coronavirus

Caption: Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna (FSSA) donate relief items to people displaced by floods in Nyando, Kisumu county. / FSSA

A Kenya-based Order of Nuns Reaches Out to Families Affected by Floods

May 2, 2020

Members of a Kenya-based Order of nuns have reached out to over 200 needy families in Western Kenya affected by floods following ongoing heavy rains in the East African nation, one of the nuns involved in the Thursday, April 30 initiative has told ACI Africa.

Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe of Yei Diocese, South Sudan

It is Hunger that will Kill People before COVID-19, Bishops in South Sudan, Sudan Warn

May 1, 2020

South Sudanese are worried about dying of hunger more than COVID-19 infections, a Bishop in the countries has told ACI Africa, expressing concerns over lockdown directives issued by the government.

Bishop Jose Luis Ponce De Leon of the Diocese of Manzini, Swaziland.

The Five Needs of Swaziland’s Manzini Diocese amid COVID-19 Crisis

May 1, 2020

To facilitate the Catholic Church’s response to COVID-19 pandemic in the landlocked Southern African Kingdom of Eswatini popularly known as Swaziland, the Bishop of Manzini diocese has outlined “five priorities” for the one-diocese country, inviting the people of God support the course.

Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo Diocese in Cameroon.

Cameroon’s Kumbo Diocese Lifts Suspension on Sunday Public Mass

Apr 30, 2020

The suspension on the celebration of Public Mass has been lifted for Sundays in Cameroon’s Kumbo diocese, the Bishop has announced.

Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) / Samuel Waweru/KCCB

Bishops in Kenya Appeal for Support to Reach Millions Affected by COVID-19 Crisis

Apr 30, 2020

Catholic Bishops in the East African nation of Kenya are appealing for support to facilitate the realization of their collective initiative that seeks to assist those affected by COVID-19 pandemic, especially the most vulnerable, “including the 2.5 million people living in informal settlements.”

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke, pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Ekwulobia in Nigeria installed Wednesday, April 29, 2020. / Diocese of Ekwolobia

“Grassroot evangelization will be a priority”: Nigerian Bishop at Installation

Apr 30, 2020

On the occasion of his episcopal installation, the pioneer Bishop of the newly erected diocese of Ekwulobia in southeastern Nigeria, Peter Ebere Okpaleke, has said that in his pastoral ministry, he will strive to emphasize evangelization at the local level, inviting the people of God to a “personal and intimate relationship with Jesus.”

St. Peter's Basilica. Credit: Marco Mancini/CNA

Pope Francis Postpones Peter’s Pence Collection amid Pandemic’s Economic Downturn

Apr 29, 2020

Pope Francis has postponed this year’s Peter’s Pence collection until next fall as the Vatican confronts the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala Archdiocese, who has practiced herbalism over the years, is receiving public attention with regard to his administering of herbal medicine to COVID-19 patients.

Why a Cameroonian Prelate is Receiving Unprecedented Public Attention over COVID-19

Apr 29, 2020

A Cameroonian Archbishop known for his practice of herbalism is receiving unprecedented public attention in his country, including being sought after by mainstream media in the Central African nation over COVID-19 intervention. Here is why.

A Poster for the National Prayer and Fasting from April 24 to 26, 2020 in Ghana. / Christian Council of Ghana.

Pray Not to Question God’s Existence during COVID-19, Religious Leaders in Ghana Implore

Apr 29, 2020

Christians in Ghana ended their three-day National prayer and fasting to seek God’s intervention and direction in the fight against COVID-19, with religious leaders cautioning against the temptation to question God’s existence in the difficult pandemic times.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya (right) and Bishop George Nkuo (Left), of Bamenda and Kumbo respectively. Two Bishops in the midst of the protracted Anglophone crisis in the Central African nation of Cameroon.

“Shuffling between two crises is no easy job”: Bishops in Cameroon’s Anglophone Region

Apr 29, 2020

Two Bishops in the midst of the protracted Anglophone crisis in the Central African nation of Cameroon have, in an interview with ACI Africa, reflected on the challenge that COVID-19 crisis presents to their pastoral ministry, one of them describing the experience as “no easy job.”

Late Bishop Emeritus Silas Silvius Njiru of Kenya's Meru Diocese. He succumbed to COVID-19 on Tuesday, April 28 in Italy, aged 91.

Retired Kenyan Bishop, Second African Prelate to Succumb to COVID-19

Apr 28, 2020

The Bishop Emeritus of Kenya’s Meru Diocese, Bishop Silas Silvius Njiru succumbed to COVID-19 in the early hours of Tuesday, April 28 in Italy where he has been residing. He was 91.

Maurice Cardinal Piat,  Bishop of Port-Louis Diocese in Mauritius.

“I appeal to the generosity, solidarity of parishioners”: Mauritian Cardinal

Apr 28, 2020

A Cardinal in the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius has appealed to parishioners in his country to help meet the needs of their respective parishes as their Priests struggle financially amid COVID-19 challenges that have seen reduced support toward the needy.

Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha, Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Onitsha Archdiocese “to slowly lift suspension” on Public Mass

Apr 27, 2020

In view of the envisaged easing of the COVID-19 lockdown imposed by Nigeria's Anambra State, home to the Metropolitan See of Onitsha, the Archbishop has announced the possibility of lifting the suspension of Public Mass, albeit slowly.

Logo National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker to Mark Start of Novena Against COVID-19 in Cameroon

Apr 27, 2020

Bishops in the central African nation of Cameroon have chosen the feast of St. Joseph the Worker marked May 1 as the start of nine days of prayer during which the people of God in the country will join them to pray for liberation from COVID-19 crisis.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama distributing palliatives to vulnerable Nigerian citizens in order to cushion the effects of the Lockdown. / Archdiocese of Abuja

Nigerian Prelate Distributes COVID-19 Palliatives, Says It’s “social responsibility”

Apr 26, 2020

In the West Africa nation of Nigeria, an Archbishop has engaged in the distribution of palliatives to needy members of society and termed the initiative a “social responsibility of the Archdiocese.”

Pope Francis holds a rosary during a general audience Aug. 7, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis Urges Catholics to Unite Through Praying the Rosary in May

Apr 25, 2020

Pope Francis sent a letter Saturday encouraging Catholics to pray the rosary throughout May. He also shared two new prayers to implore the help of the Virgin Mary during the coronavirus pandemic.

Poster for Earth Day 2020 / Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM)

Catholic Movement Recognizes African Song on COVID-19, Band Leader “excited, encouraged”

Apr 24, 2020

The Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM), the Rome-based organization that works “to better care for our common home” has recognized a song by a Kenya-based band on COVID-19, a move that has been appreciated by the band leader.

Logo Caritas Ghana.

Caritas Ghana Still Committed to the Poor as President Lifts Partial Ban

Apr 24, 2020

Caritas Ghana, the charity wing of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), will continue to support the needs of the poor and vulnerable in areas that were affected by partial lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 even after the country’s President lifted the partial lockdown, an official has said.

Pope Francis May 15, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis Donates Ventilators in Honor of St. George’s Feast Day

Apr 23, 2020

Ventilators were delivered to hospitals in Romania, Spain, and Italy on April 23, the feast of St. George, the patron saint of Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Pope Francis. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Vatican Releases Free Online Prayer Book Amid Pandemic

Apr 23, 2020

The Vatican has released a free online prayer book to help Catholics seeking divine assistance amid the coronavirus crisis.