COVID-19 lockdown measures have tightened in Zimbabwe, limiting gatherings, including for religious services. This brought to a complete halt some small Christian churches that had started to gather again for faith and worship activities after an earlier loosening of restrictions.
Read MoreTribal warfare in South Sudan is preventing the country’s peace process from bearing fruit, complicating a six-year civil war. Among the victims of conflict and wanton violence are women, children and Christian clergy.
Read More(REVIEW) The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates by the National Catholic Register's longtime Rome correspondent Edward Pentin delves into the lives of the cardinals most likely to follow Francis.
Read More(OPINION) Forces in Ethiopia and abroad are currently capitalizing on the appalling murder of the musician and political activist Hachalu Hundessa, which led to violent ethnic-based clashes that killed nearly 200 people this month. Political groups in Africa’s second-most-populous country have consistently paraded distorted and, at times, wholly inaccurate narratives about the democratic values Hundessa stood for.
Read More(OPINION) Recent violence and hate crimes in Ethiopia has parallels to pre-genocide Rwanda with many lessons: the further we stray from faith, the further we stray from justice.
Read MoreChurches in Kenya are slowly reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, though some church leaders think their religious freedom is coming under fire with restrictions, including a limit of one hour for a worship service and a ban on adults 58 and older and youth younger than 18.
Read MoreWhile the Black Lives Matter movement has caused controversy in religious circles because of its support for non-traditional families and Marxist philosophy, researchers who study the movement say it is spiritual even with an antipathy for organized religion. Many activists want to explore their ancestors’ African spirituality, and Black churches and mainline Protestants are also influencing the movement.
Read MoreWhile urban churches in Uganda have moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic, churches in rural areas with less Internet access have become more creative, using “horn” speakers to broadcast preaching, prayers and music to their communities inside their homes and allowing community leaders to give health announcements and guidance.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Nigerian diaspora academics discussed the findings of a U.K. government report on July 6, concluding that several factors like water scarcity are affecting violence in Northern Nigeria, complicating a designation of genocide. Many acts of violence carried out by Boko Haram against Christians bear Quranic punishments for so-called infidels, and the Nigerian army is struggling to contain the violence.
Read MoreIn his third attempt, Lazurus Chakwera, not unlike his biblical namesake, resurrected his political fortunes and was sworn in as president of Malawi. Apart from a senior leadership role in the Assembly of God as bishop, he was a sought-after theology professor supervising PhD candidates as far as Kenya and other African countries.
Read More(OPINION) As Italians gained in power, Columbus Day officially became a U.S. federal holiday starting in 1968. Amerigo Vespucci, however, is barely mentioned in American classrooms.
Read MoreBefore the coronavirus pandemic, Ugandan church weddings were a show of financial prowess and status. Now during a lockdown, brides and grooms are holding small-scale events dubbed “scientific” weddings.
Read MoreEaster, Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr—amid COVID-19 lockdowns, religious celebrations have looked different this year. Thankfully, they don’t have to taste different. Most of us are still practicing our faith with social distancing, but staying home is the perfect way to venture into new recipes and maybe even taste a new religious tradition.
Read MoreGladys Kwedyo has not been able to walk since she contracted polio at 2 years old, but she’s never allowed the disability to stop her from having a fulfilling career and marriage or going into church ministry to help those in need. Though the pandemic has effectively shut down Zimbabwe, Kwedyo has a hand-controlled car, two hands and a big heart.
Read More(OPINION) Was this the equivalent of hearing Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville’s impressions of America in the 19th century, except we are hearing from a Nigerian man about his impressions in 21st-century America? And does it offer any lessons for retaining rule of law and good governance even as we rethink policing and racial inequality in America?
Read MoreWith the swelling challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic further depriving the impoverished, Danielle Schneider, Brad Brunsch and Rachel Simmons face a year of ministry like no other.
Read MorePresident Pierre Nkurunziza, who died June 8 at 55 years old, was a study in contrasts. He was known for public demonstrations of his Christian faith, yet his political opponents were often silenced or disappeared mysteriously. However, it was his biggest — and last — contradiction that will remain etched in the minds of Burundians. As the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Nkurunziza and his officials ignored the virus, but reports now say he may have died from it.
Read More(OPINION) Thousands of Christians in Nigeria have been affected by a litany of mass atrocities perpetrated by Boko Haram and Fulani herders. The Nigerian government should respond with comprehensive investigations and prosecutions, but it is clear that will not happen until we, as an international community, recognize the nature and severity of these crimes.
Read MoreRenewed fighting between Sudan’s army and militants killed an Anglican priest last week, despite a negotiated peace agreement and the pause of a church-mediated peace process when the Rome-based organization began grappling with coronavirus in Italy. Since 2013, Sudan’s civil war has displaced thousands of civilians. Now they must grapple with displacement during a pandemic and food insecurity.
Read More(OPINION) It appears the general consensus in Kenya is that the U.S. police are a racist lot who derive much fun from bullying people of color. However, some Kenyans are questioning why their compatriots are so irked by what is happening in far away USA while not condemning similar prejudices in their own country.
Read More
