Latest stories: COVID-19

Catholic Entities in Africa Participate in Vatican’s Launch of Debt Cancellation Campaign

Catholic Church entities in Africa earlier this week joined the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the COVID-19 Commission in the launching of the debt cancellation campaign for countries in Africa amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Bishops in Zambia Decline Government’s “Church Empowerment Fund”, Give Reasons

Catholic Bishops in Zambia have declined to take up the “Church Empowerment Fund” (CEF) introduced by the country’s leadership to cushion churches amid financial hardships following COVID-19 restrictions.

Nigerian Bishop Dismisses Skepticism Toward COVID-19 Vaccines as “propaganda”

A Catholic Bishop in Nigeria has dismissed skepticism toward COVID-19 vaccines as “propaganda” and encouraged the people of God in the West African nation to get vaccinated.

Being Vaccinated against COVID-19 Part of “duty to care”: Jesuit Leaders in Africa

Members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Africa have, through their leadership, sought to encourage the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, saying being vaccinated is part of the Christian “duty do care.”

Amid Public Worship Suspension in Kenya, Bishop Urges Clerics to Foster “message of hope”

The Apostolic Administrator of Kenya’s Nairobi Archdiocese has encouraged members of the Clergy serving in the Metropolitan see to remains sources of encouragement and hope amid public worship suspension in sections of the East African nation.

Public Worship in Multiple Dioceses in Kenya Suspended amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Public worship in some four Kenyan Dioceses has been suspended indefinitely amid a spike in reported cases of COVID-19 in the East African nation.

South Sudanese Archbishop Urges Government to Allow Doctors to Examine COVID-19 Vaccine

The Archbishop of South Sudan’s Juba Archdiocese has called upon the government of the East-Central African nation to permit national doctors and scientists examine the COVID-19 vaccine, which landed into the country Thursday, March 25.

Catholic Health Professionals in Kenya Providing School Services to Curb COVID-19

A team of health professionals in Kenya that includes medical doctors, professional counsellors, nurses and other health practitioners are attending to school going children in their respective learning institutions to limit the learners’ exposure to COVID-19 infections.

Churches in Mauritius to Remain Closed During Holy Week amid COVID-19 Restrictions

The leadership of the Catholic Church in Mauritius has directed that churches in the country remain closed during Holy Week in line with restrictions, which the government of the Indian Ocean Island nation put in place to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Kenya’s Elderly, Sick to Continue Worshipping in Private amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases

The elderly and the sick in Kenya have been urged to continue worshiping in private as the country reports a steady increase in the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Catholic Health Provider in Africa Responds to Vatican Call for Improved Water, Hygiene

The Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, an Order of the Catholic Church that provides health services in African countries and all over the world, is on the forefront of responding to the Vatican call on Catholic health facilities to improve hygienic measures especially during COVID-19 pandemic.

Ban on Public Worship in Mozambique amid COVID-19 Causing “much greater” Damage: Prelate

An Archbishop in Mozambique has, in a statement, expressed concerns about the ban placed on public worship in the Southern African nation saying the measure taken against the prevention of COVID-19 is causing “much greater” damage to society. 

Why South Sudanese Children are Safer in School Despite COVID-19 Pandemic

Closure of schools in South Sudan owing to COVID-19 has exposed children in the East-Central African nation to numerous societal dangers, the head of a Catholic school in the country has said, noting that the children are safer in schools, coronavirus pandemic notwithstanding.

Kenya’s Catholic Doctors Maintain Stance against COVID Vaccine, Say Mean Well for Africa

Members of the Kenya Catholic Doctors’ Association (KCDA) have maintained their strong opposition to the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination in the East African nation, saying their caution against the coronavirus vaccine means well for the people in the country and in other African countries seeking to administer the vaccine.

Increased Minors’ Beheadings in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Raises Fear of Childhood Trauma

Children as young as 11 years old are being murdered in Mozambique’s embattled Province of Cabo Delgado, an international charity organization that deals with minors has said, expressing fear that the ongoing tragedy will leave a permanent mark on the children in the country.

“Endangering lives by gathering not an act of worship”: Religious Leaders in Mauritius

In the wake of a surge in reported cases of COVID-19 in Mauritius, religious leaders in the Indian Ocean Island nation have underscored the need to adhere to government guidelines prohibiting gatherings.

I Was Strongly Opposed as a Woman in Church Leadership, Former Official in Zambia Recounts

The former Secretary General of the United Church of Zambia, a union of Churches in the Southern African nation has narrated her experience at the helm of Church leadership in the country, recalling that she always faced opposition on the basis of her gender.

Catholic Agencies in Europe, North America Urge “equal global access” to COVID-19 Vaccines

Ahead of the March 10-11 meeting of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Council), the leadership of an international alliance of Catholic development agencies in Europe and North America is advocating for “equal global access” to COVID-19 vaccines. 

Politicians’ Non-compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines Appalling: Kenya's Interfaith Council

The attitude of non-compliance with COVID-19 guidelines on the part of politicians in Kenya is disappointing and appalling, members of the Interfaith Council in Kenya have said in a statement over the weekend.

Malawi’s Catholic Bishops Say COVID-19 Vaccine “an act of love of our neighbor”

Catholic Bishops in Malawi have, in a collective message, described COVID-19 vaccine as “an act of love of our neighbor”, endorsing the administration of the batch that arrived in the country March 5.