The spokesperson for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference said that the conference “has taken a slightly different stand from the rest of Africa” on the Vatican declaration “Fiducia Supplicans.”
South Africa
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
South Africa has taken Israel to international court on genocide charges. What comes next?
For many in South Africa, there is a symbolic significance in the decision to pursue the genocide charge. In 2024, South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, yet vast injustices still permeate South African society because of its traumatic history.
Posted inGoodNews, Politics & Society
In South Africa, an education program changes a refugee child’s life
Three2Six offers a basic education to undocumented migrant and refugee children, many of whom are barred from South Africa’s public schools because of their residency status.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
African National Congress stands with Palestinians, and South African bishops call for ceasefire
President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the A.N.C. remained steadfast in advocating for peace between Israel and Palestine. He said the A.N.C. stood with Palestine and its citizens, who have been oppressed for more than 70 years.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Interview: Pope Francis’ new cardinal in South Africa sees signs of hope despite ‘enormous’ corruption
Cardinal Stephen Brislin, 67, the archbishop of Cape Town, said he sees “enormous signs of hope” for South Africa today, notwithstanding the poverty and “enormous” corruption.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: How synodal listening transformed this preacher’s homilies and faith community
On this week’s episode of “Preach,” Father Brett Williams shares how the practice of synodal listening, really listening to each other, has shaped his preaching.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
South Africa plagued by crippling power outages and broken promises
In a pastoral letter, titled “All Citizens to Reclaim the Dream,” the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference encouraged South Africans not to lose hope.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
South African Catholic bishops on building fire that killed 77: Blame the government, not immigrants
Following the tragedy, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference issued a statement that decried those who “unscrupulously exploit the homeless and the poor.”
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Remembering Father Albert Nolan, a best-selling theologian who explored the humanity of Christ
Father Nolan sought during his tenure to help white Catholic students find a way of working with their Black colleagues for the common goal of ending apartheid.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Violence against women is a plague in South Africa
Advocates for the protection of women charge that rape is systemic and endemic in South Africa. Police statistics confirm this: There are about 115 rapes per day, a level that is among the highest in the world.