After watching for years as newly independent South Sudan has succumbed to civil war fought largely along ethnic lines, displacing one-third of the population, church leaders in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan are working hard to ensure that their small enclave of liberated territory will not go the way of its neighbors to the south.
Africa
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Central African bishops distance themselves from group promising violence
The group calling itself the League of Defense of the Church alleged there was inaction by Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga of Bangui as the church faced attacks, with Christians and priests being killed.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
In Sudan’s Nuba Mountains, Christians and Muslims live in peace
While tense relations between religious groups contribute to violence in many parts of the world today, Christians and Muslims in the war-ravaged Nuba Mountains of Sudan say they are getting along.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Killings of Catholic priests in Africa raise fears that peacemakers are targets
Following the recent killings of priests in the Central African Republic, Catholic officials worry that clergy are being targeted by armed groups for their peacemaking efforts.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Nigerian bishops link government inaction on violence to religion
“It can no longer be regarded as mere coincidence that the suspected perpetrators of these heinous crimes are of the same religion as all those who control the security apparatus of our country, including the president himself,” the bishops said.
Posted inFaith, Features
Without peace, prosperity will continue to elude Africa.
Despite the Catholic Church’s failure during the Rwandan genocide, other attempts before and even now in East Africa by various faith-based organizations to intervene in civil strife and lead mediation processes have resulted in peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Cardinal calls on African faith leaders to negotiate with terrorists to help end conflicts
Speaking at a recent Nairobi conference of religious leaders from Africa, Europe and Asia, Cardinal John Onaiyekan insisted interfaith dialogue is key to ending the deadly conflicts — even if it means sitting down with ruthless killers.
Posted inFaith, News
Catholic Church in Congo suspends sacraments as Ebola spreads
An Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo last month has led Roman Catholics to stop administering several sacraments temporarily in an attempt to keep the deadly disease from spreading.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Sisters care for elderly and women left behind in Kenyan villages
In Kenya, while leprosy has significantly declined, many elderly are still need of care.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Can the church in Nigeria stop the violence between herders and farmers?
Benue State is in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. This region, a hotbed of sectarian unrest, has suffered particularly because of clashes between largely Muslim Fulani cattle herders and mostly Christian farming communities.