Despite this grim reality, church leaders in this nation of 2.3 million are not just in denial about this social crisis — but are also in denial about being in denial, leaving the desperately depressed with no one to give them the much-needed message of hope. Talking about suicide is taboo in many African societies and that includes Lesotho.
Read More(REVIEW) In 2018, Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appeared on the East African nation’s political scene almost from nowhere. Claiming to be responding to an assignment by God, the young Pentecostal Christian promised democratic salvation and national unity to a hopelessly divided nation.
Read More“He loved them to the end.” While this Biblical verse found in John 13:1 is in reference to Jesus, it also sums up the life of John Bradburne, the British-born missionary martyred in Zimbabwe more than four decades ago that many are hopeful will become the country’s first Catholic saint.
Read MoreWithout any physical distinction from their neighbors and without any open religious congregations of their own, many Jews in Zimbabwe couldn’t resist the lure of joining mainstream society in which they lived. This assimilation trend by younger members of the Lemba community prompted soul searching by some, resulting in a decision to retrace the way back to their original Jewish faith.
Read MoreIn a move widely seen as a major blow to religious freedom, the government of Rwanda has closed more than 4,000 houses of worship over the past month for various infractions that include operating in substandard structures, “unhygienic conditions,” not meeting noise pollution standards and not having formally trained preachers.
Read More(REVIEW) Is subjugation and oppression central to the life of a Muslim woman? What roles do Islamophobia and white supremacy have in this misogyny? And where do the biggest threats to Muslim women’s freedom and safety really come from? These are some of the many pertinent questions that Samia Rahman answers in her new book, “Muslim Women and Misogyny: Myths and Misunderstandings.”
Read MoreAs the effects of climate change become more apparent in Africa and in other parts of the world, eco-anxiety is becoming prevalent. This is true especially in Africa, a continent that is home to a disproportionate share of climate change-related disasters but also has limited resources to deal with them.
Read MoreNo money, no phones, no school, no medicine — and no questions. This is what life was like in Canaan, the shrine of an African Apostolic faith church on the outskirts of Zimbabwe’s capital Harare, where police last month rescued hundreds of people — including more than 250 children — forced to believe they were prepared to depart for heaven.
Read MoreIslamic extremists waging an insurgency in Mozambique have increasingly targeted Christians and churches in the first three months of this year. As a result, priests and their followers — a total of 100,000 people — have been forced to flee following increased attacks that have left scores of dead and some church buildings destroyed.
Read MoreAs Zimbabwe and several other African countries fight a protracted cholera outbreak, Apostolic Christian sects opposed to Western medicine are being blamed for complicating the fight. Zimbabwe is one of the several countries in Southern Africa that are suffering from bouts of cholera outbreaks. Other places include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi.
Read More“Towards Jihad? Muslims and Politics in Postcolonial Mozambique” says that although Muslims in Mozambique have become more active in politics in the post-independence period, they have not moved towards jihad, but that only a small group has done so.
Read MoreAfter joining the global Christian community in celebrating the election of Lazarus Chakwera as President of Malawi, the refugee community regrets it as the Christian leader has embarked on a brutal campaign against them, blaming them for the socio-economic problems that the impoverished African nation faces.
Read MoreAs most people take a break to gather and celebrate Christmas with family and friends, for tens of thousands of Africans that have fled threats, wars, turmoil and persecution at home, this is a moment that their homesickness is heightened. Many of them find solace in the church and connecting with relatives on social media.
Read MoreThe October elections in Mozambique — now confirmed to have been rigged in favor of President Filipe Nyusi’s ruling FRELIMO party — have left the head of the Anglican church in the southern African nation fighting for survival, while a Muslim cleric has already been sacked for endorsing the dubious poll results.
Read MoreAn alternative funeral for a top United Methodist Church pastor who committed suicide last month following a sex scandal has highlighted a clash between religion and culture in Zimbabwe.
Read MoreOver the years, the Catholic church in South Africa has devoted itself to helping the poorest of the poor in this most unequal society to take on mighty entities in their quest to regain long lost dignity. The church began shepherding a class action against the country’s three major coal mining firms seeking compensation for sick former workers and their families who died as a result of lung disease and other associated illnesses.
Read MoreAfter many decades of exclusion by the church, the deaf in Zimbabwe and other African countries are finally being remembered and embraced.
Read More(ANALYSIS) In a troubled country where violence and rigging win elections and the resultant political leadership promotes lawlessness, corruption and general misrule, a compromised church leadership stands accused of siding with the oppressors, a charge that these “men of God” deny.
Read MoreZimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change, has created a political firestorm after announcing plans to base its rule on Christian values in the event it wins power in this month’s elections.
Read More“I have run the race to strengthen others … that even in death from HIV, there is still God in heaven,” Rev. Kapachawo. 49, told ReligionUnplugged.com in an interview as he reflected on his life. “Because He is so faithful, here I am today, still believing and spreading the gospel of life and hope.”
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