Africa
World Vision tinkers with child sponsorship model that brought in millions
By David King — November 4, 2019
(The Conversation) — World Vision is now flipping its marketing script that critics said demeaned those it wanted to help. Instead of donors choosing children to support, children are beginning to choose donors.
Kenyan atheist demands Quakers revoke his membership
By Fredrick Nzwili — October 24, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Harrison Mumia, president of the Atheists in Kenya Society, applied to the church to cancel his membership and remove any records associated with him, since he no longer considers himself a Christian.
In private meeting, Pope Francis opens up about his faith after his election
By Claire Giangravé — September 26, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The official transcript of a Sept. 5 meeting with Jesuit clergy in Mozambique offers a peek into a less measured side of the Argentine pontiff. Francis opened up about his spirituality after being made pope — and criticized clericalism in the Catholic Church for its fixation on sex rather than equity and integrity.
Pope warns booming Mauritius against ‘idolatrous economic model’
By Claire Giangravé — September 10, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Though today Mauritius is 'an oasis of peace,' Francis said it must still 'remain vigilant.'
When it comes to global conflict, churches are the best solution we never think of
By Tim Breene and Scott Arbeiter — September 6, 2019
(RNS) — There is a solution that can help us connect with the needs of communities in faraway places, one that sits on many street corners in our downtowns and backroads in our country and theirs: local churches.
Pope Francis blesses Mozambique’s reconciliation efforts on Africa visit
By Claire Giangravé — September 5, 2019
(RNS) — Francis endorsed the Aug. 6 peace treaty signed by the government and rebel leaders, calling it a 'landmark' in a struggle for reconciliation the church has done much to boost.
Anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria threaten precarious balance of faiths
By Anthea Butler — August 8, 2019
(RNS) — In this West African nation, religion stands at the intersection of a divisive colonial history and a current political crisis caused by drought and land scarcity.
Africa-wide Roman Catholic body marks 50 years of progress
By Paul O'Donnell — July 24, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Established during Pope Paul VI's 1969 visit to Uganda, the first by a pope in Africa, SECAM once consisted of fewer than 50 clerics. The symposium now brings together some 400 cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priests from 40 national and regional bodies.
Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary
By Bobby Ross Jr. — July 17, 2019
(The Christian Chronicle) — Five years after contracting Ebola while fighting the epidemic in Liberia, the doctor is heading to Zambia.
South Sudanese churches call for acceptance of wartime sexual violence survivors
By Fredrick Nzwili — June 28, 2019
(RNS) — Thousands of women and girls in Africa’s newest nation who have suffered brutal sexual violence have been rejected by their families on their return to their communities.
Kenyan court upholds bans on gay intimacy
By Fredrick Nzwili — May 24, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) – A ruling in favor of repeal would have been a trailblazing step for an Africa court, but the three-judge bench said there was not sufficient evidence of discrimination.
In central Africa, Islamist militias complicate church efforts to battle Ebola
By Fredrick Nzwili — May 22, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Intent on disrupting efforts to stop the spread of the disease and on delegitimizing local authorities, militants have attacked Christian pastors and health workers.
Sowing division, Islamists target Christians in Burkina Faso
By Paul O'Donnell — May 14, 2019
(RNS) — Since 2016, at least 300 violent incidents have been reported in Burkina Faso, resulting in the death of more than 360 people, including policemen and soldiers, school teachers and religious leaders.
Ready for Birthright Africa?
By Jeffrey Salkin — May 10, 2019
As the Beatles sang: "Once there was a way to get back homeward..."
In African refugee camps, app replaces Bibles left behind
By Doreen Ajiambo — May 6, 2019
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) — The digital library has done much to replace the reference books many Sudanese churches lost to their country's decade of civil war.
