Sister Mary Lembo says the sexual abuse of women religious by priests in Africa is a “gaping wound” in the Church. A native of the West African nation of Togo and member of the Sisters of St. Catherine of Alexandria, she’s done extensive research on this taboo subject, including her doctoral dissertation. Lembo is a Read more
Food insecurity, violence and climate change are forcing Africa into a corner. The continent is facing a looming food crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In better times, between 2018 and 2020, Africa imported 44 percent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine. “A striking phenomenon is the link between food insecurity, violence and Read more
This is a Synod on synodality, we were told. My first reaction was: what is synodality? “Synodality means walking together,” we were then told. But this had to be explained several times, and not only to those less educated. Synodality is a strange word, even for the more literate. So, I have a problem with Read more
The Catholic Church has been accused of “robbing” Africa of its priests to tackle the shortage in the UK, leaving worshippers struggling to understand services in “poor English”. The claims were made by the Rev Deacon Michael Phelan, a retired Permanent Deacon in the diocese of Northampton, who raised concerns amid what some people deem Read more
Catholic bishops in Burundi are being accused of “spitting venomous hatred” over their message denouncing intolerance and political violence ahead of next year’s presidential elections. The Burundi Conference of Catholic Bishops, message was read out in churches on Sunday. It expresses the bishops’ concern about the country’s next election, which is set for May 2020. Read more
Flanked by his three wives and 12 children in his grocery shop in Kenya’s biggest slum, Kibera, Gilbert Wandera said men should marry multiple wives to prevent single motherhood and to ensure that children have fathers in their lives. “Getting a second or third wife is not a sin before God,” said Wandera, 38, who Read more
Adoley and her husband Mike (not their real names) attend one of Ghana’s mega churches. Both are university graduates. She is a seamstress and owns a small retail shop. He is an accountant. The couple live with Mike’s family, where Adoley sometimes feels she’s blamed for the couple’s childlessness after having three miscarriages. When they Read more
Catholic bishops from part of Africa have sent a strong signal that the continent will not accept Western dictatorship on homosexuality. The president of West Africa’s regional bishops conference, Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr, said Africans must be alert to any indoctrination from the West to accept same-sex marriage. Cardinal Sarr said some Americans behave “like people who Read more
In collaboration with the Initiatives of Change NZ and the Wellington Islamic Centre, there will be a special screening of two short films, The Imam and the Pastor and An African Answer. In the 1990s, Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa led opposing, armed militias, dedicated to defending their respective communities as violence broke Read more
The Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship has criticised “long and loud” offertory processions in some countries. Writing in L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Robert Sarah took aim at offertory processions in some African countries that include “endless dances”. “One has the impression of being present at a folklore exhibition,” the cardinal wrote. Cardinal Sarah comes Read more