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“I felt I’d no choice; you feel powerless”: Human Trafficking Survivors Share Challenging Experiences Under Traffickers

Nov 9, 2024

Survivors of human trafficking keep memories of their usually unpleasant experiences in the hands of the traffickers, which when recounted, invoke empathy for the trafficked and negative emotions for those involved in human trafficking. 

Pope Francis during the virtual dialogue with African Catholic students on Tuesday, 1 November 2022. Credit: PACTPAN

Pope Francis' Conversation with African Youths Continues to Drive Change as Projects Launched to Transform Communities

Oct 23, 2024

Over 40 African digital faith influencers who graduated in an eight-month formation program last month have been given the go ahead to run their projects in their zeal to transform their communities.

Digital Faith Influencers Graduate in Catholic Formation Program, Eager to Transform Communities

Sep 13, 2024

Each of the 56 young Digital Faith Influencers, who graduated on Thursday, September 12 after participating in an intensive eight-month certificate training program has a well-defined vision for how to make a meaningful impact on their respective communities.

Non-Catholic Theologian Witnesses to Gains of Small Christian Communities in Promoting Ecumenism in Africa

Sep 11, 2024

Small Christian Communities (SCCs), the new way of being Church in Africa, are leading the way in uniting different Christian denominations, a non-Catholic Ecumenist has said.

Catholic Theologians in Africa Decry “politics of the stomach” Hindering Co-responsibility in Church’s Pastoral Ministry

Sep 3, 2024

The Church in Africa is burdened by tribalism, among other challenges that are hindering co-responsibility in ministry, which the multi-year Synod on Synodality proposes, Catholic Theologians who are behind the ongoing weekly synodal conversations have said.

“Synodality is a new word for an old idea in Africa”: Cardinal Onaiyekan

Sep 2, 2024

Africa’s experience of “Church as a family of God” makes Synodality, which invites the  people of God to journey together in communion, participation and mission, “a new word for an old idea”, John Cardinal Onaiyekan of Nigeria has said.

Catholic Nun Proposes Formation that Addresses Childhood Traumas, “inappropriate sexual behaviours” among African Youths

Aug 27, 2024

Childhood traumas are likely to lead one into sexual behaviours that a Nigerian American Catholic Sister has referred to as “inappropriate”.

Catholics in Africa Urged to Uphold Traditional Marriage, Shun “cultural experimentation” on Family

Aug 21, 2024

Theologians leading the ongoing weekly synodal conversations have urged Catholics in Africa to uphold the sacredness of marriage, and to say no to any ideologies that may distort the image of the family institution.

Nigerian Archbishop Reminisces about “perfect” Catholic Church – Nicaraguan State Relationship before Persecution

Aug 20, 2024

Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, the Nigerian-born Vatican-based Catholic Church leader, who previously served as the Apostolic Nuncio in Nicaragua has reflected on the days before the Central American nation started experiencing religious persecution.

Credit: PACTPAN

Catholic Theologian Urges Apostolic Nuncios to Acknowledge Diversity of Church in Africa “as a gift” to Universal Church

Aug 19, 2024

To foster the good relations between Apostolic Nunciatures and the Church in Africa, representatives of the Holy Father on the continent must strive to acknowledge the diversity of the Church in Africa “as a gift” to the global Catholicism, an official at the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN)  has said.

Credit: PACTPAN

Vatican-based Nigerian Catholic Archbishop Defends Holy See’s Commitment to Diversity in Diplomatic Service

Aug 19, 2024

The Holy See is increasingly diversifying the membership of its diplomatic service, a Vatican-based Nigerian Catholic Archbishop, who previously served as an Apostolic Nuncio has said.

Prelates at African Synodal Palaver Appeal for Patience, Understanding, amid Criticism of “not smelling like sheep”

Aug 13, 2024

Being a Catholic Bishop in Africa involves a lot of work that sometimes leaves Bishops exhausted, participants at a the10th session of the ongoing synodal palavers have been told, and urged to be more patient with their shepherds who sometimes appear not to be available for everyone.

In Anniversary Speeches, Church Entities Laud ACI Africa for “amplifying” Church’s Voice, Exhibiting “professionalism”

Aug 11, 2024

In speeches during the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the Association for Catholic Information in Africa (ACI Africa), various Church entities have lauded the Kenya-based news service of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in Africa for giving media visibility to the activities of the Church in Africa. 

Let’s “do necessary groundwork” to Evangelize Effectively amid Increasing Challenges: Cardinal in South Africa

Aug 10, 2024

Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier of South Africa is calling on his colleagues in the Episcopacy, members of the Clergy, and women and men Religious to put in place strategies that will make them “effective agents of evangelization”.

Conferences of Catholic Bishops, Church Entities in Africa Laud EWTN News Service in Africa ahead of 5th Anniversary

Aug 7, 2024

Conferences of Catholic Bishops in Africa, various Church entities, and individuals have extended their congratulations to the Association for Catholic Information in Africa (ACI Africa), a service of EWTN News of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) Global Catholic Network ahead of its fifth anniversary celebration on Friday, August 9.

Church in Africa asked to Address Cultural Impediments to Healthy Relationships between Local Ordinaries and Religious

Aug 5, 2024

Patriarchal structures that characterized the traditional African setting were introduced in the Church and have continued to affect the relationship between Local Ordinaries and those in Religious Life, a Kenyan theologian has said.

Why Catholic Church in Nigeria is Not Ready for Married Deacons

Aug 3, 2024

It is highly unlikely that the Catholic Church in Nigeria will cheer up to married men being ordained Deacons, a participant at the ongoing synodal conversations has said, noting that the West African nation is not ready for such a ministry.

Sr. Josée Ngalula. Credit: ACI Africa

Congolese Catholic Theologian Proposes Ordination of Permanent Female Deacons to Address Abuse in Church

Aug 1, 2024

A majority of victims of abuse in the Catholic Church are women, a Congolese Theologian has said, noting that ordination of more female deacons will see “women look after their fellow women.”

Sr. Agnès Sory. Credit: PACTPAN

Pastoral Solution for Polygamous Marriages “presents a difficulty” for Church in Africa: Catholic Theologian, Canonist

Aug 1, 2024

The proposed pastoral solution for the polygamous Catechumen seeking to convert to Catholicism presents a difficult situation for African families, a Catholic Theologian has said.

Credit: PACTPAN

Catholic Theologians in Africa Propose “gradual conversion” of People in Polygamous Marriages

Jul 31, 2024

Giningakpio Justin Dapu is one of the most active members of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY). He leads various groups that are focused on the development of the Diocese.