In a statement July 22, the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, known by the acronym AMECEA, said the steps taken by the leaders of both countries “show that Africans have the wisdom to solve their own problems amicably.”
Africa
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
With ‘strongman politics’ on the rise, Obama affirms Mandela’s democratic vision
In Johannesburg, Obama gave what some commentators consider his most important speech since he vacated the Oval Office.
Posted inArt, Arts & Culture
The urban fantasies of Bodys Isek Kingelez
The Congolese artist has left us a form of art that transcends political and aesthetic categories.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Sudanese bishop: Despite being many tribes, people are, first of all, Nuba
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.
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.