The pope dropped to the feet of the president and new vice presidents at end of a spiritual retreat at the Vatican. Pope Francis today stunned participants in a spiritual retreat held for civil and religious leaders from South Sudan, dropping to his knees to kiss the feet of government leaders who are working… Continue reading Pope Francis stuns rival South Sudan leaders by kissing their feet in plea for peace
Category: Africa
Nigerian bishop: “Our land is now a pool of blood”
Sixty years after gaining independence from the United Kingdom, Nigeria is overrun by violence, much of it targeted at Christians. In an October 1 message marking the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British rule, Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto was harshly critical of the country’s President Mohammadu Buhari, faulting him for failing to… Continue reading Nigerian bishop: “Our land is now a pool of blood”
Kidnapped Italian priest set free after two years in captivity
Fr. Pierluigi Maccalli was abducted from his parish in Niger in 2017. An Italian priest missing in Africa for two years has been released by kidnappers.Fr. Pierluigi Macalli was released Thursday in Mali along with three others being held captive: a French humanitarian worker, an Italian tourist and a politician from Mali. Luigi… Continue reading Kidnapped Italian priest set free after two years in captivity
Bishop calls attention to “genocide” in Nigeria
Bishop Kukah said that both Christians and Muslims have been targeted. The execution of five aid workers in Nigeria, three of whom were Christian, has led Bishop Mathew Kukah, of the Sokoto Diocese, to argue that the violence against Christians constitutes genocide. Bishop Kukah also noted that the aggression towards Christians has extended to Muslim communities… Continue reading Bishop calls attention to “genocide” in Nigeria
The largest Jesus statue in Africa: Jesus de Greatest
Built by a layman, this is the fifth largest statue in Africa. Standing as a symbol of the enduring faith of Nigeria’s Catholic community, the Jesus de Greatest statue is the largest image of Christ on the African continent. Measuring 28 feet tall and weighing in at 40 tons, the statue has become an important part of… Continue reading The largest Jesus statue in Africa: Jesus de Greatest
Here’s how Catholic dioceses plan to resume public Masses around the country
As public officials lift COVID-19 restrictions, bishops prepare parishes for safely bringing the faithful back to church. Masks, the 6-foot rule, and Communion in the hand are the predominant features that will characterize the Catholic Mass in the coming months, as churches reopen to the faithful and society continues to take measures against the… Continue reading Here’s how Catholic dioceses plan to resume public Masses around the country
How the Gates Foundation is Robbing African Women of their Freedom and Their Lives
As the West pushes dangerous contraceptive drugs on African women, the author stands up for their dignity. As I tried to catch up on the latest news on Africa, I stumbled upon the recent joint announcement of Pfizer Inc. the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to expand access to Pfizer’s… Continue reading How the Gates Foundation is Robbing African Women of their Freedom and Their Lives
Aid group commits $5.5M to support priests and nuns serving communities most vulnerable to COVID-19
The much needed money will help them continue carrying out their spiritual and social ministries. To help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the international pontifical charity serving the persecuted and suffering Church around the world, is providing $5.5 M in emergency funding to priests and nuns… Continue reading Aid group commits $5.5M to support priests and nuns serving communities most vulnerable to COVID-19
Priest kidnapped in Nigeria
Abduction comes a few days after murdered seminarian laid to rest. Just two weeks after a kidnapped seminarian was killed in Nigeria, a priest in the country was abducted. Fr. Nicholas Oboh of the Diocese of Uromi reportedly was abducted by gunmen in the southwestern state of Edo, ACI Africa reported. The chancellor of the… Continue reading Priest kidnapped in Nigeria
3 of 4 kidnapped Nigerian seminarians are free, according to report
International aid agency calls for government action in face of worsening security conditions. UPDATE: Catholic News Agency has reported that one of the seminarians has been killed, allegedly by his captors. “With a very heavy heart, I wish to inform you that our dear son, Michael [Nnadi] was murdered by the bandits on a date we cannot… Continue reading 3 of 4 kidnapped Nigerian seminarians are free, according to report
4 Nigerian seminarians abducted while on seminary grounds
The abductors have yet to list any demands for release. Nigerian authorities are searching for four seminarians, aged 18-23, who were abducted from Good Shepherd Seminary, in Kaduna, on Wednesday night. Although the captors have been in contact with the young men’s families, there have been no demands made for their release. Catholic News Agency reports that… Continue reading 4 Nigerian seminarians abducted while on seminary grounds
On Nigerian beheadings, “Where is the moral revulsion?”
Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto, Nigeria, says the West readily exploits Africa’s mineral resources, but is turning a blind eye to religious persecution and atrocities. Avideo released by ISIS West African Province (ISWAP) the day after Christmas showed the apparent beheading on Christmas Day of 10 Christians held hostage by the group. An eleventh man, identified… Continue reading On Nigerian beheadings, “Where is the moral revulsion?”
Islamists in Nigeria kill Christian hostages
The Islamic State group in Nigeria released a video Thursday claiming to show the killing of 11 Christian men. The Dec. 26 video shows masked militants beheading 10 blindfolded captives, and shooting an eleventh. The west African province of Islamic State, which broke off from Boko Haram in 2016, said the killings were in vengeance… Continue reading Islamists in Nigeria kill Christian hostages
Bishop, priest and more than 40 others killed at Central African Republic church and refugee camp
Violence continues between Muslim and Christian militias More than 40 Christians, including a bishop and a priest, were killed in an attack on a Catholic cathedral and nearby refugee camp in the Central African Republic.Guerrillas on November 15 attacked the Cathedral of Alindao and an adjoining compound where a camp for people displaced by previous… Continue reading Bishop, priest and more than 40 others killed at Central African Republic church and refugee camp
Italian priest kidnapped in Niger now missing for one year
Niamey, Niger, Sep 18, 2019 – One year ago, Fr. Luigi Macalli was abducted in the middle of the night, from his parish Church in Niger. The priest remains missing, and his friends and family say they have no idea where he is. “On Tuesday, 17 September 2019, we commemorate the first anniversary of the abduction… Continue reading Italian priest kidnapped in Niger now missing for one year
A shocking miracle in the Egyptian desert
While a monk was celebrating Mass, he didn’t expect to see this … During the 3rd and 4th centuries many men and women were inspired by the example of a humble hermit now known as St. Anthony the Abbot and left all they had to lead a life of prayer and contemplation in the Egyptian… Continue reading A shocking miracle in the Egyptian desert