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Catholic Church in Africa

There are now more than 100 priests in the four dioceses of Sierra Leone. / Credit: Shutterstock

Most Catholic Priests in Sierra Leone are Sons of Muslims: Bishop

Apr 26, 2024

“Most priests are sons of Muslims. Why? Because of the schools,” explained Bishop Natale Paganelli, who was apostolic administrator in Sierra Leone.

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza with members of the Clergy of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Yola. Credit: Yola Diocese

At Chrism Mass, Catholic Bishop of Yola, Nigeria, Urges Priests “never to relent” in Ministry amid Persecution

Mar 27, 2024

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Yola has urged Priests in his Episcopal See to remain relentless in their Priestly ministry despite security challenges due to “activities of terrorists”. 

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi Archdiocese in Kenya. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN)

“Pull up your socks in taking care of these children”: Nairobi Catholic Archbishop to Parents, Guardians

Mar 25, 2024

Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi has called upon parents and guardians to take seriously the responsibility of bringing up well children under their care, in gratitude to God for them.

Credit: Zerbor/Shutterstock

DR Congo’s Lifting of Moratorium on Death Penalty “a step backwards”: Cardinal Ambongo

Mar 20, 2024

The decision by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to lift a 2003 ban on the death penalty is retrogressive, the Local Ordinary of the country’s Kinshasa Archdiocese, Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, has said.

A screenshot of Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the March 17 interview with KTO. Credit: KTO

In Africa, Fiducia Supplicans Perceived as “cultural colonization, Western imperialism”: SECAM President

Mar 19, 2024

Fiducia Supplicans (FS), the declaration by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) permitting the blessing of “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”,  was perceived as “cultural colonization” in Africa, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has said. 

Credit: CitizenGo Africa

UN Status of Women Conference “an outright declaration of war on traditional family values”: African Catholic Activists

Mar 18, 2024

The ongoing 68th edition of the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) conference is deviating from its role of advancing issues impacting women to promoting abortion and gender ideologies, officials of the African branch of the International Catholic activist organization, CitizenGo, have said. 

279photo Studio/Shutterstock.

Study Links Catholic Relief Services to Contraception, Abortion Programs in Africa

Mar 13, 2024

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has been engaged in contraception and abortion programs in some African countries, a joint study by the Lepanto Institute (LI) and Population Research Institute (PRI) alleges.

LI President, Michael Hichborn (right) and PRI President, Steven Mosher (left). Credit: Lepanto Institute (LI) and Population Research Institute (PRI)

“This must stop”: Scholars on Catholic Relief Services’ Contraception Programs in Africa

Mar 13, 2024

The alleged participation of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in the promotion of contraception and abortion programs in some African countries must be halted, leaders of the Lepanto Institute (LI) and Population Research Institute (PRI) have said.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: SECAM

Africa Not “adequately” Benefiting from Foreign Investment in Its Riches: Cardinal Ambongo

Mar 12, 2024

Local populations in Africa are not “adequately” benefiting from their natural resources that foreign entities venture into, Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), has said.

Participants at the SECAM seminar on the theme “Conflicts in Africa in the context of the exploitation of natural and mining resources”, from March 8 to 10, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. Credit: SECAM

SECAM Advocates for Continental Prayer Day to “amplify voices of marginalized” in Africa

Mar 12, 2024

Participants in the seminar that the leadership of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) convened in Ghana’s capital, Accra, have advocated for the creation of a Continental Prayer Day aimed at bringing to the light particular challenges the people of God grapple with in their respective African countries.

Initiate Canonization of “German martyrs”: Official of German Bishops to Church in Africa

Mar 8, 2024

A representative of the German Catholic Bishops' Conference for the Martyrology of the 20th Century has challenged Church leaders in Africa to initiate canonization processes for the “German martyrs, who were violently killed” in various African countries. 

Groundbreaking Biographies of “German martyrs”, Who Were “violently killed” in Africa

Feb 29, 2024

Catholic Bishops in Germany have compiled biographies of over 30 German “martyrs”, who were reportedly “victims of violence in Africa” to ensure that their testimonies are not lost.

Burkina Faso Political Map. Credit: Peter Hermes Furian via Shutterstock

Over a Dozen Killed in Attack on Catholics at Mass in Burkina Faso “died in faith”: Priest

Feb 25, 2024

At least 15 Catholics attending Sunday Mass in Burkina Faso were killed when “terrorists” attacked Essakane village in the country’s Oudalan province, Northeastern region, a jurisdiction of the Catholic Diocese of Dori.  

Credit: Harambee Africa International (HAI)

Rome-Based Catholic Development Agency Opens Contest for Storytelling on Africa’s “beauty”

Feb 22, 2024

Storytellers in Africa have been invited to participate in the 10th edition of "Conveying Africa" contest through which Harambee Africa International (HAI), a Rome-based Catholic development agency, seeks to communicate the challenges, hopes, richness, and diversity of the continent.

Members of the Regional Episcopal Conferences of North Africa (CERNA). Credit: Rabat Archdiocese

Subject Fiducia Supplicans to “calm” Analysis in Ongoing Synod: North Africa Bishops

Jan 17, 2024

There is need to subject Fiducia Supplicans (FS) that permits members of the Clergy to bless “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations” to the ongoing Synod on Synodality that Pope Francis extended to 2024, Catholic Bishops in North Africa have said. 

A group of Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria, where 200 people were killed over Christmas. Credit: ACN

Catholic Charity Raises £200k in Two Months to Support Suffering Christians in Africa

Jan 16, 2024

The “£100k4Africa” challenge that the Catholic Pontifical and charity foundation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) UK, launched during last year’s #RedWednesday initiatives to support persecuted Christians in Africa has raised £200,000.

Pope Francis at his general audience on May 17, 2023 (left) and Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (right). Credit: Daniel Ibanez/SECAM

“Culture does not accept it”: Pope Francis on Africa’s Opposition to Fiducia Supplicans

Jan 15, 2024

Fiducia Supplicans (FS), the December 18 Vatican Declaration permitting members of the Clergy to bless “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations” will not be implemented in Africa “because the culture does not accept it,” Pope Francis has been quoted as saying.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

No Blessing for “same-sex couples” in Africa, Catholic Bishops Declare, Vatican Agrees

Jan 11, 2024

The Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released on December 18 will not be implemented in Africa, Catholic Bishops have said.

St. Peter's Basilica. | Credit: vvo/Shutterstock

Fiducia Supplicans: More Reactions from Catholic Bishops in Africa on Same-sex Blessings

Jan 4, 2024

Reactions have continued to pour in from Catholic Bishops in Africa on Fiducia Supplicans (FS), with many expressing their reservations about the Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released on Monday, December 18.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: SECAM

Catholic Bishops in Africa Consult “to provide unequivocal clarity” on Fiducia Supplicans

Dec 21, 2023

Catholic Bishops in Africa are consulting among themselves in view of issuing a “single synodal pronouncement” on Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”.