Gabon military leaders claimed that electoral malpractice was one of the reasons for the coup, but another surely must be the growing frustration of the general public with a ruling elite who live in luxury while life for average Gabonese, despite its oil riches, remains a struggle.
Africa
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Jesuits and nuns team up to bring education to vulnerable African girls
There are just under 20 million primary-grade girls out of school in sub-Saharan Africa. The Bakhita Partnership for Education is working to change that.
Posted inFaith, Speeches
Pope Francis: Lessons from St. Daniel Comboni, an apostle to Africa
In his weekly audience, Pope Francis highlights the apostolic zeal of St. Daniel Comboni, who sought to engage and empower Africans as “subjects” of mission.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
An Arabic proverb for the survivors of the Morocco earthquake: ‘Neighbor before house’
Neighbor before house, the house is gone. Neighbor before house, here is some food we managed to find. Neighbor before house, at least we have each other.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catholic seminarian burned to death in Nigeria in endless cycle of violence against Christians
The grisly killing of a seminarian highlights the violent persecution Christians have faced in Nigeria and around the world.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
South Sudanese Jesuit: Pope Francis’ visit to our country rejuvenated my commitment to serve here.
Given his own frailties, the last place the pope should have visited is South Sudan, but he put us at the center of the world.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
After two decades of war, suffering in Sudan continues
The basic question centers on whether the present military conflict in Sudan will metastasize into a protracted, all-out civil war as both generals repeat in their own ways the atrocities begun by Mr. al-Bashir years ago in Darfur.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Catholics in Nigeria are planting trees to combat the effects of climate change
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria launched a campaign that aims to plant 5.5 million trees over the next five years to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Zimbabwe bishops warn against political violence during upcoming elections
Zimbabwe bishops condemned “heinous violent crimes” after videos circulated of opposition political supporters being attacked by suspected supporters of the ruling Zimababwe African National Union Patriotic Front.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Interview: Jesuit journalist on the roots of insurgent violence in Africa—and how faith communities are responding
Extremist and criminal violence is on the rise across Northern Africa from Somalia to Nigeria as local security forces face off against gangs and insurgencies they are often ill-equipped to contain.