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ACI Africa
Nigerians “dying for a living”: Catholic Bishop Decries Persistent Violence, Calls for Global Support
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto in Nigeria has decried the wave of killings and insecurity in the West African nation and termed the situation “a national tragedy.”
At Double Jubilee of Ghana’s Cape Coast Archdiocese, Papal Delegate Calls for Walking “forward with Confidence”
Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier of South Africa, Papal Delegate to the Double Jubilee celebration – marking both the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year and the 75th anniversary of the elevation of Ghana’s Cape Coast Church to an Archdiocese – has urged the people of God to move forward with confidence, grounded in gratitude for their past, commitment to the present, and faith in God’s promises for the future.
Benin-born Former Vatican Culture Secretary Dies at 83, Eulogized as “great theologian”
Bishop Barthélemy Adoukonou, a native of Benin and former Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture at the Vatican, has passed on at the age of 83. Bishop Adoukonou passed on shortly after midnight on Monday, October 27, at the University Teaching Hospital in Cotonou, the Local Ordinary of Cotonou Catholic Archdiocese who doubles as the President of the Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB) announced in a statement. “A great theologian, educator, and man of faith, Bishop Adoukonou devoted his entire life to the service of God, the Church, and culture,” Archbishop Roger Houngbédji says in the October 27 statement. Archbishop Houngbédji notes that as former Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Bishop Adoukonou “worked with intelligence and passion to foster dialogue between faith and reason, between the Gospel and African cultures.” “His teaching, wisdom, and deep love for the Church have profoundly influenced generations of Priests, women and men Religious, intellectuals, and lay faithful,” the member of the Order of Preachers (OP/Dominicans) says. He further says the late Bishop’s passing “leaves a great void in the life of the Church and the intellectual world, but his radiant witness remains a precious spiritual and cultural legacy.” “We commend his soul to the mercy of the Lord, in the firm belief that Christ, conqueror of death, welcomes him into the joy of His Kingdom,” Archbishop Houngbédji says, and adds, “Funeral arrangements will be communicated at a later date.” Bishop Adoukonou served as rector of Saint-Paul di Djimé Major Seminary in Benin from 1977 to 1984; professor of fundamental theology at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) in Abidjan Ivory Coast, from 1978 to 1982. From 2000 to 2009, Bishop Adoukonou served as Secretary of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA). In December 2009, he was appointed Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture and was ordained Bishop in October 2011. The founder of the Movement Le Sillon Noir (Mewihwendo), which he animated from its inception in 1970 until 1999 also served as member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, now the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. He was also a member of the International Theological Commission for two five-year terms. In another statement issued October 27, the Rector of the Catholic University of the Congo (UCC) described Bishop Adoukonou as an “undisputed and indisputable master of the inculturation of the Christian faith in Africa.” Fr. Léonard Santedi Kinkupu recalled that the late Bishop Adoukonou, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university’s Faculty of Theology, “was one of the pioneers of African theology.” “The Theological School of Kinshasa pays a vibrant tribute to this master,” Fr. Santedi says, adding that his 1977 doctoral thesis, Foundations for an African Theology: An Essay on a Christian Hermeneutic of the Dahomean Vodun, written under the supervision of Professor Joseph Ratzinger – later Pope Benedict XVI – “remains a masterpiece in theology and a major contribution to the essential and ever-demanding dialogue between faith and culture.” Fr. Santedi extends his condolences “to the biological and religious family of the deceased, as well as to the entire African academic community,” and commends his soul “to your fervent prayers.” “May the Lord welcome him into His Kingdom and grant him the reward promised to the good and faithful servant,” the UCC Rector implores.
Remembered as “a man of dialogue, reflection”, Second Bishop of DR Congo’s Goma Diocese Dies at 90
Bishop Faustin Ngabu, the second Bishop of the Goma Catholic Diocese in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has passed on after a prolonged illness. He was aged 90.
Over 100 Christians Killed in Nigeria, 120 Abducted in 76 Days: Intersociety Report
A new report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) covering the period between August 10 and October 26 has revealed that in just the 76 days, over 100 Christians in Nigeria were killed, and 120 others kidnapped by jihadist groups.
In Extensive Campaign, Caritas Freetown Constructs Rehab Centre for Underage Girls Addicted to Killer Drug “kush”
Young girls under the age of 14 who are addicted to the killer drug “kush” in Sierra Leone will find help in an ongoing campaign by Caritas Freetown to address the rampant use of the substance, which has been officially classified by authorities in the country as a national epidemic.
Salesian Leaders in Africa Chart New Path for “sustainability of formation, effective animation” at Meeting in Ethiopia
In a gathering aimed at charting a new path for formation of members, leaders of the Religious Institute of Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) from across Africa met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“Continue to be prophetic, voice of the voiceless”, Archbishop Urges Malawi’s Church Leaders in Post Election Reflection
The Archbishop of Malawi’s Catholic Archdiocese of Blantyre has underscored the essential role of Church leaders in guiding and forming the moral conscience of the people of God, especially during general elections.
Vocations Boom in Malawi is a Blessing and “heavy responsibility”: Commission for Seminaries Chairman
The Chairman of the Commission for Seminaries at the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) has described the increase in priestly and religious vocations across the southeastern African nation as both a “blessing” and a “heavy responsibility” for the local Church.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency: Catholic Bishop Calls for Inclusive Systems for World’s Vulnerable Populations
The chairperson of the Social Action Department at the South African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) has appealed to global leaders to take bold, tangible actions that promote justice, equity, and inclusion for the world’s most vulnerable populations during the ongoing Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency in South Africa.
Delegates Commit to Uphold “highest” Safeguarding Standards in Seminaries at AMECEA Conference
Delegates at the just-concluded conference on safeguarding in seminaries that was organized by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) have committed to ensuring that Seminaries in the region uphold the highest standards of safeguarding.
Catholic Sisters in Angola Reflect on Life, Legacy of Recently Canonized Members in Rome
Catholic Sisters in Angola have joined the universal Church in celebrating the canonization of members of their Congregations, who were canonized on October 19 by Pope Leo XIV in Rome, reflecting on their legacy of faith, courage, and service to humanity.
Congo Brazzaville Catholic Bishops Encourage Youth Formation to Build a Just, Peaceful Society
Catholic Bishops in the Republic of the Congo (Congo Brazzaville) have called for renewed evangelization, moral integrity, and active social engagement among young people and all members of the Church.
Catholic Entities in Ivory Coast Call for Non-Violence Ahead of October 25 Presidential Election
The Episcopal Commission for Justice, Peace, and the Environment in Ivory Coast and the National Laity Council are urging young people to reject violence and become agents of peace ahead of the country’s October 25 presidential election.
Apostolic Nuncio for Burkina Faso, Niger Says New Mission is “a challenge as well as grace”
The representative of the Holy Father appointed on August 15 for Burkina Faso and Niger has described his new mission as both a challenge and a grace.
Benin’s Catholic Bishops Urge Dialogue, Peace Ahead of 2026 General Elections
Members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB) have called on all political actors, civil society organizations, and citizens to work for peace, dialogue, and unity ahead of the country’s 2026 general elections.
“Be regular”: American Teen Promoting Children’s Rosary in Africa Gives Tips on Prayer
The only way to build a relationship through prayer is by making it a habit, Asher Kaufman, who is visiting a number of African countries to promote the Children’s Rosary movement on the continent, has said.
Third Local Ordinary of Uganda’s Catholic Diocese of Jinja Dies at 72, Eulogized as “a pillar of development in Church”
Bishop Charles Martin Wamika of the Catholic Diocese of Jinja in Uganda has passed on at the age of 72.
Pope Leo XIV Appoints Two Catholic Bishops for Dioceses in Ivory Coast
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Mons. Jean-Pierre Tanoh Tiémélé as the new Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Abengourou in Ivory Coast and transferred Bishop Alexis Youlo Touabli to San Pedro-en-Côte d’Ivoire Diocese.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Catholic Bishop in Mauritius Urges Hope, Solidarity with Affected
Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône of the Catholic Diocese of Port-Louis in Mauritius has called on the people of God to stand in solidarity with all those affected by breast cancer, sharing a message of hope, compassion, and faith.
