Oct. 23, 2009 Synod message decries corruption, appeals for cooperation in Africa
The greed, corruption and unjust economic structures fomenting conflict and poverty in Africa must be overcome through the united cooperation of all people of good will, said the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 16, 2009 Nigerian archbishop says synod includes 'self-examination'
In their wide-ranging discussion of political, social, economic and environmental issues, members of the Synod of Bishops for Africa kept asking themselves, "What can we do?" a Nigerian archbishop said.
Oct. 5, 2009 Zimbabwe's bishops: Truth about past needed to bring country together
For the "cycle of violence, humiliation, oppression and exploitation" in Zimbabwe to stop, the truth about the country's violence needs to be told, said Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops in an Oct. 1 pastoral letter on national healing and reconciliation.
Oct. 5, 2009 Synod opens with call on Africans to be forces for justice, peace
Reconciled with one another and committed to justice, African Catholics must become active forces for justice and peace on the continent, said Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana, as he opened the work of the second special Synod of Bishops for Africa Oct. 5.
Sept. 30, 2009 Zimbabwean youths put faith into action in neglected suburb of capital
Young Catholic parishioners in a neglected suburb of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, have formed a "faith in action" group that sweeps the trash-filled streets and fills potholes in the roads, among other tasks that the city council rarely undertakes, their parish priest said.
Sept. 28, 2009 African ethnic disputes could hinder church unity, cardinal says
An African Catholic leader said the chief concern among bishops of his continent who will gather at the Vatican in October involves maintaining the unity of the church in the midst of ethnic disputes in several nations.
Sept. 23, 2009 African archbishop describes Sierra Leone's struggle to rebuild
Nearly eight years after the end of a brutal 11-year civil war, an archbishop in Sierra Leone said most people who fled have returned to the country, although they struggle to survive amid a shattered economy.
Sept. 22, 2009 Synod may not reflect reality of North Africa, say church leaders
As the 2009 Synod of Bishops for Africa approaches, some portions of the African church do not find their experiences or issues reflected in the synod's themes, but at least one bishop believes North Africans can offer something unique to synod discussions.
Sept. 18, 2009 Rapid urbanization is a serious threat to Africa, says U.N.
Urbanization is such a problem that bishops of southern Africa hope to bring it up as a topic at the Oct. 4-25 Synod of Bishops for Africa at the Vatican, said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sept. 4, 2009 US bishops' delegation impressed with AIDS work in southern Africa
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City said he was particularly "touched by the number of volunteers" involved in the efforts, noting that they "make it possible to get the services to the people" who need them.
Sept. 3, 2009 US church leaders: Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa need more aid
Churches, the South African government and other agencies need to step up their help to Zimbabweans crossing the border into South Africa as the numbers increase, said members of a U.S. Catholic delegation.
Sept. 1, 2009 Outspoken Zimbabwean archbishop says government still wants him dead
Archbishop Pius Ncube, 62, who now lives in western Zimbabwe's Hwange Diocese, made his claims in a letter to South Africa's national Catholic weekly, The Southern Cross, with the request that Catholics pray for him.
Aug. 26, 2009 Gender tests on runner could dispel stereotypes, church official says
As track champion Caster Semenya returned home to South Africa Aug. 25 to a heroine's welcome, a church official said the row caused by the International Association of Athletics Federation's insistence on a gender test could be a good thing if it makes people rethink gender stereotypes.
Aug. 25, 2009 Some South Africans say new group betrays Christian leaders' forum South African Christian leaders said a group claiming to represent the country's religious leaders in meetings with the government has betrayed the trust of the 12-year-old National Religious Leaders' Forum.
Aug. 18, 2009 Sudan's churches urge efforts to save country from destabilization Sudan's Christian churches asked the country's political leaders and the international community to step up efforts toward peace and "save the country and the whole region from being destabilized."
Aug. 11, 2009 Priest urges Zambian official to resign after remarks about church A Zambian priest said the nation's information minister should resign for accusing the Catholic Church of complicity in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and comparing it to the current situation in Zambia.
July 30, 2009 Anti-poverty protests call attention to growing South African needs The protests, which began in mid-July in townships around Johannesburg, "are manifestations of frustration" over a lack of basic services such as water and electricity, as well as poor housing conditions, said the director of the justice and peace department of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference.
July 16, 2009 Zambian bishops urge government to stop harassing the media
The Catholic bishops of Zambia have challenged their government to stop persecuting and harassing journalists and media institutions perceived as holding divergent views.
July 16, 2009 Congo's bishops urge citizens to fight corruption in their country
In a pastoral letter, "Restoration of the Nation by the Fight Against Corruption," the Kinshasa-based bishops' conference said that, "despite commitments made by the government, we see no real determination of our political leaders to put in place mechanisms to prevent and punish corruption."
June 26, 2009 New head of Zimbabwean archdiocese says he'll focus on poverty relief The new archbishop of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, said he will focus on poverty relief and development rather than trying to fill the gap left by his predecessor, who was arguably Zimbabwe's most outspoken critic of human rights abuses under President Robert Mugabe.
May 28, 2009 Priest says sick Zimbabweans turned away from South African hospitals A South African priest confirms a report by Doctors Without Borders that many Zimbabwean refugees who are ill or have been raped and injured are being denied access to South African hospitals or charged exorbitant fees.
May 28, 2009 Priests in Central African Republic end strike over new administrator More than 40 priests in the Central African Republic launched a one-day strike to protest the appointment of a new apostolic administrator after an investigation of priests' celibacy led to the resignation of their archbishop.
April 24, 2009 South African archbishop urges Zuma to intensify fight against AIDS With Jacob Zuma set to become South Africa's president, the leader of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference has urged him to focus on the country's weakest people and to intensify the fight against AIDS.
April 7, 2009 Catholic bishops in southern Africa urge leaders to shun corruption
Southern Africa's Catholic bishops said the dropping of graft charges against African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma denies him the chance to clear his name in court, and they called on those in positions of responsibility to shun all forms of corruption.
March 24, 2009 Zambia's bishops say African Union protocol threatens life, marriage In a strongly worded letter to the president of Zambia, the country's Catholic bishops called on the government not to ratify an African Union protocol with articles that would threaten the sacredness of life and the sanctity of marriage.
March 24, 2009 South African cardinal expresses shock after Dalai Lama denied visa Durban Cardinal Wilfrid Napier expressed "shock and regret" that the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader and head of its self-proclaimed government-in-exile, was denied a visa to attend a meeting in South Africa.
March 23, 2009 In Africa, pope challenges attitudes, cultural trends
Very little of what the pope had to say during his March 17-23 African journey was easy or accommodating. He preached the Gospel in a way that took issue with common practices and prevailing attitudes.
March 23, 2009 Turtle given by Pygmies to pope will stay in Africa
Although Vatican officials initially spoke about finding a home for the turtle in the Vatican Gardens, in the end they asked staff members of the Vatican Embassy in Angola to find it a proper home, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
March 23, 2009 Pope leaves Angola with appeal for international solidarity
Pope Benedict XVI bid farewell to Angola and to Africa, asking the continent's people to care for one another and telling the international community it has an obligation to share the world's resources in an equitable way.
March 22, 2009 Pope asks church in Africa to resist 'clouds of evil' on continent
At a Mass for hundreds of thousands of Angolans, Pope Benedict XVI called on Africa to embrace the Gospel and disperse the "clouds of evil" that have brought war, ethnic rivalry, tribalism and greed to the continent.
March 20, 2009 Pope appeals for African families, condemns promotion of abortion Addressing Angolan political leaders and an international group of diplomats, Pope Benedict XVI appealed on behalf of African families struggling from the effects of poverty, disease and war.
March 20, 2009 Cameroonian Pygmies give pope send-off, gift of a turtle A group of Pygmies showed up to give Pope Benedict XVI an unscheduled send-off from Cameroon, and presented him with a live turtle to take back with him to the Vatican.
March 19, 2009 Congolese bishops describe complex conflicts in northern Congo A Lenten statement by bishops from northern Congo illustrates what the working document for this fall's Synod of Bishops for Africa mentions as problems facing Africa: political instability, decades of armed conflict and fighting over natural resources that sometimes cause countries to disintegrate into "scenes of fratricide orchestrated by rival parties."
March 19, 2009 Pope outlines his view of African synod's main themes Pope Benedict XVI offered a sneak preview of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, identifying several issues he believes will be crucial. Above all, he said, the church in Africa is called to be a healing community on a continent torn by "savage conflicts" and other tragedies.
March 19, 2009 Positive changes seen in Africa since 1994 synod
Since the last Synod of Bishops for Africa 15 years ago, the continent has undergone significant change and made considerable progress, according to a Vatican document.
March 19, 2009 Synod working document seeks ways to promote justice, peace in Africa The working document for this fall's Synod of Bishops for Africa called for a united effort among Catholics to help end the rampant injustices fueling conflicts on the continent and to usher in an era of peace.
March 19, 2009 In Africa, pope warns of erosion of values, 'tyranny of materialism' The Mass marked the publication of the working document for October's Synod of Bishops for Africa, and at the end of the liturgy the pope personally handed copies of the text to bishops from all over the continent.
March 19, 2009 There they go again ...
Looks like the Vatican is still having trouble resisting the temptation to change Pope Benedict’s words to reporters on his papal plane.
March 18, 2009 In Kenya, dioceses fight to control ever-present ethnic tensions It was the Christmas holidays, and diocesan offices were closed. James Kimisoi, head of the peace and justice commission of the Diocese of Eldoret, planned to be in the office only to pay people who monitored the polls in the December 2007 national elections. Then the violence began.
March 18, 2009 In one Kenyan diocese, an alternative rite of passage for girls A Kenyan diocese is giving girls a chance to grow up without participating in the traditional tribal rite of female circumcision, a practice that carries the risk of disease or death.
March 18, 2009 In Cameroon, pope asks bishops to lead new evangelization efforts
Pope Benedict XVI, on his first full day in Africa, encouraged Cameroon's bishops to be strong preachers of the Gospel and vigilant shepherds on matters of priestly formation and behavior, liturgical dignity and Christian marriage.
March 17, 2009 In Africa, pope says Gospel is answer to continent's problems
Arriving in Africa, Pope Benedict XVI said the church's message of hope and reconciliation was sorely needed by a continent suffering disproportionately from poverty, conflict and disease.
A priest elevates the Eucharist during Mass at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb. 1. An image of an angel is seen on the church wall. Pope Benedict XVI will travel to Cameroon and Angola March 17-23 on his first papal visit to Africa. (CNS/Galbe.Com)
Since '94, Africa has seen tremendous changes, but some issues remain
By Bronwen Dachs
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) -- The African continent and the Catholic Church there have undergone tremendous changes since the 1994 Synod of Bishops on Africa, yet poverty, justice and reconciliation remain major issues for this October's meeting.
(full story)
Papal trip to highlight challenges, possibilities
By John Thavis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI opens a new chapter in his papal travels when he visits Cameroon and Angola in mid-March, a trip designed to highlight the church's message of hope on a continent beset by problems.
(full story)
Children have lunch at the Bungwe Health Center in remote northern Rwanda in this 2007 photo. The center cares for those affected by HIV and AIDS, including children without parents and those whose parents are sick to work or prepare food. (CNS/Rick D'Elia)
March 4, 2009 Southern African bishops seek Vatican OK to keep new Mass translations
The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference said it made a mistake in giving the go-ahead to parishes to use Vatican-approved Mass translations, but it has asked the Vatican to allow continued use of the texts.
Feb. 24, 2009 African synod to consider continent's dire needs, Ugandan bishop says
The upcoming Synod of Bishops for Africa will give the continent's Catholic bishops the opportunity to focus on some of the most pressing needs of people besieged by poverty, reeling from rebel violence and seeing little development assistance from their governments, said the archbishop of Gulu, Uganda.
Feb. 23, 2009 South African prelate warns against blind party loyalty, intimidation
Reminding South Africans of postelection violence in Zimbabwe and Kenya in 2008, the president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference said the intimidation of those who hold different political views is a threat to democracy in South Africa.
Feb. 12, 2009 Catholic commission to rally support for rebuilding Zimbabwe
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in
Zimbabwe will use its nationwide network to rally support for
rebuilding Zimbabwe after the formation of a unity government.
Jan. 29, 2009 Southern African bishops buy food, medicine for suffering Zimbabweans The
Catholic bishops of Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland have used
diocesan funds to buy food and medicine for Zimbabweans and urged
Catholics in their countries to help provide immediate relief to their
suffering neighbors.
Jan. 15, 2009 Report: Zimbabwe health care collapse due to human rights violations Physicians
for Human Rights said Zimbabwe's doctors do not have viable salaries
and most public hospitals have closed. At the same time, Zimbabweans
are suffering from a cholera epidemic, increasing maternal mortality,
and cases of malnutrition, AIDS, tuberculosis and anthrax.
Jan. 5, 2009 Bishops pay tribute to Helen Suzman, 91, anti-apartheid leader "If
ever there was a South African who epitomized the belief that you are
never too small to make a difference, it was Helen Suzman," the
Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference said in a statement.
Jan. 2, 2009 Jesuit discusses moves to renegotiate mining contracts in Congo A
Congolese Jesuit said he is optimistic that 60 government contracts
with international mining companies will be renegotiated in favor of
the government, raising more revenue for one of the poorest countries
in Africa.
Dec. 23, 2008 Exiled Zimbabwean in South Africa sends food to family left behind
Packages of basic groceries sent from South Africa are a lifeline for
many Zimbabweans, said a Catholic journalist exiled from Zimbabwe who
now supports his extended family from Cape Town.
Dec. 18, 2008 Bishops say Zimbabwean president must be forced to step down "It
is now time to isolate Mugabe completely and to remove all forms of
moral, material or tacit support for him and his party," the Southern
African Catholic Bishops' Conference said in a Dec. 18 statement.
Dec. 17, 2008 Nigerian church officials urge Rwandan church to be force for peace Noting
that Africans "must look inward for our resources for promoting
integral human development," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of
Nigeria said, "The church must assume the role of the midwife of peace"
and play a "more visible role in the peace processes."
Dec. 10, 2008 Congolese bishops appeal to U.S. to implement struggling peace accord Calling
the conflict in eastern Congo the worst since World War II, two
Congolese bishops said Dec. 9 that the United States must help
implement the Amani Program, the peace process set up as part of a
cease-fire agreement.
Dec. 5, 2008 Ugandan archbishop says military action not best way to pursue Kony
Ugandan Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu said
that using the military to pursue rebel leader Joseph Kony after he
failed to sign a peace agreement with the Ugandan government is not a
good solution.
Dec. 1, 2008 Zambian police drop charges against priest-manager of radio station Police
in Zambia have dropped charges against Father Frank Bwalya, station
manager of the Catholic Church's Radio Icengelo, who was arrested for
allegedly issuing commentary intending to bring divisions between
communities.
Nov. 13, 2008 Zambian police detain priest-manager of Catholic radio station
Police in Zambia have detained the Catholic Church's
Radio Icengelo station manager, Father Frank Bwalya, over a
postelection phone-in program aired by the community radio station.
Nov. 14, 2008 Congolese bishops denounce tolerance of hostilities in their country
A group of Congolese bishops has denounced the
international community's tolerance of increasing hostilities in
eastern Congo, which they called a "silent genocide" against the
civilian population there.
Nov 10, 2008 Pope condemns atrocities in Congo, appeals for peace
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of recent waves of "destruction, pillaging and
violence of every kind" in eastern Congo and said his prayers were with
those suffering.
Oct. 31, 2008 Amid political turmoil, South African bishop urges respect for rights As
South Africa's Independent Electoral Commission warned of the danger of
political violence before the general elections next year, a bishop
urged the country's political leaders to instruct their followers to
respect c onstitutional rights.
Oct. 27, 2008 Pope to visit Africa in March to help prepare for October synod The
pope will make the trip to help prepare for the Synod of Bishops on
Africa, scheduled for October 2009, and to mark the 500th anniversary
of the evangelization of Angola.
Oct. 16, 2008 Church leaders urge Zambians to face by-election with unity, prayer Zambia's
church leaders have urged the country to face the Oct. 30 presidential
by-election with unity and prayer and called on candidates to follow
the electoral code of conduct meticulously.
Sept. 26, 2008 Bishops say South African leaders must focus on needs of citizens
The political officeholders appointed after the
resignation of South African President Thabo Mbeki must work toward
rebuilding confidence in the country's leadership and focus on meeting
the urgent needs and demands of ordinary citizens, said the Southern
African Catholic Bishops' Conference.
