Church articles from the past 3 months
The meaning of the first appointment of a woman under-secretary of the most important Vatican Secretariat. Who is Nathalie Becquart, the first woman with the right to vote in the Synod of Bishops? An enlightened move to strengthen the role of women in the Church; such seemed to be the choice of Pope Francis with…
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Fifty years in India alongside the lepers. Curing their wounds but also rejoicing with each one for new found life. This is the story of Sister Bertilla Capra, 82, an Italian Consolata Missionary. It was in June 1970 that she arrived in Andhra Pradesh, her first appointment. “Before leaving – she recounts – I went…
Read moreIn 2021 the Church in the Philippines marks half a millennium of Christianity. “We are all ‘gifted to give.’ This is a challenge to both celebrate the Christian faith and be vigorously motivated to go and share this precious gift with others.” The latest statistics show that the Philippine population has reached nearly 110 million. …
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There have been close to twelve peace agreements but they have failed to bring about significant long-term peace in the country. The future of peace and stability in South Sudan will very much depend on the political will of the political leaders. South Sudan is currently the youngest nation in the world, having gained its…
Read moreThe most important period of the year for Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia is the Lent fast leading up to the Easter feast. Easter, known as Fasika, will fall on 2 May this year corresponding to 24th Miyazya 2014 in the Ethiopian Calendar. Fasting is central to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity with some 250 fasting days during…
Read moreAn unstable region. “Young people abandoned to themselves find a solution to their problems in Jihadism. Jihadism feeds on injustice, poverty and misery”. The words of Father Arvedo Godina of the White Fathers who has spent over fifty years in The Sahel. The Sahel is one of the most unstable regions in the continent of…
Read moreA Sunday with Father Anthony Assebiah, Parish Priest of Beyin in Kengen, Southern Ghana. As soon as we reached the pier, we boarded an old rowing boat. Rowing powerfully and confidently, Stephen, the young catechist, brought us to the Island of Nzulezo in Lake Tandane. The voyage lasted almost an hour. As we approached the…
Read moreHoly Week in Taxco involves one of the most moving and impressive liturgical ceremonies to be found in Mexico. A fascinating and creative religious syncretism. The crowd observed total silence as they waited for the imminent arrival of the procession. The frightening, uneasy silence was gradually broken by an impressive staccato noise. In the distance,…
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“If I am because we are, then true fraternity leaves no one behind, because we are saved together and are responsible for the life of all”. Africa has something unique to offer to help reverse the ill-fated drift of modern world. Fratelli Tutti, (“Brothers [and Sisters] All”) is the latest open letter of Pope Francis…
Read moreEven though the grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene has been canceled this year due to coronavirus, the devotion to the centuries-old icon of Jesus Christ is unique in the world. We trace the origins and developments of such deeply-rooted Filipino tradition. The devotion to the Black Nazarene started in a sort…
Read moreThe Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be afflicted by most serious political and social tensions, conflicts in some of its regions and endemic poverty despite its infinite riches. This is our topic as we speak with Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa. The government of President Felix Tshisekedi which came to power in the…
Read moreA fierce opponent of the regime of Paul Biya, he energetically promoted dialogue between the central government and Anglophone separatists. Last November he was the victim of an as yet unexplained kidnapping. They called him Wiyghan, which means ‘one who is passing through’ because his mother had lost her first two children. Born on 15…
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He helped lead a sophisticated, global campaign to prevent the construction of Fonsalía Port, a massive recreational boat and ferry terminal that threatened a biodiverse…
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A long time ago, on the island of Java, there were no rice plants. The people only grew cassava for their daily food, as rice was…
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Three young Africans talk about their lives, and, above all, their dreams. Ghana. Francisca. “Resilience and loyalty” My name is Francisca Appiah and I am a nurse. I was…
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