Africa
Rastafarianism, promising freedom, spreads among African youth
By Tonny Onyulo — April 17, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A faith that originated in the Caribbean islands has drawn many adherents through its social justice and anti-colonialist messages.
Kenyan officials try to dispel fears of new ID labeled ‘mark of the beast’
By Paul O'Donnell — April 5, 2019
NAIROBI (RNS) — The country's president warned church leaders against misusing their privileged positions to mislead their congregations.
Lodging for spouses becomes Anglicans’ latest battleground over LGBT clergy
By Catherine Pepinster — April 2, 2019
LONDON (RNS) — A university that customarily offers hospitality to convening clergy is bucking the archbishop of Canterbury's attempt to ban same-sex spouses of gay and lesbian bishops.
Nuns in Africa create social enterprise startups to help communities
By Paul O'Donnell — March 28, 2019
(RNS) — A Silicon Valley social enterprise 'accelerator' has linked with a network of African nuns to help low-income families help themselves.
US Muslims fund African wells to honor New Zealand shooting victims
By Aysha Khan — March 26, 2019
(RNS) — American Muslims are raising funds to build 50 water wells in Africa and South Asia in honor of the 50 victims of the New Zealand mosque massacres.
After cyclone disaster, church organizations mobilize to help devastated Africans
By Paul O'Donnell — March 25, 2019
(RNS) — Christian relief organizations and agencies raced to aid Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, the three countries most affected by the tropical storm.
Church leaders pray for Ethiopian Airlines crash victims as they grieve for clergy
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 12, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Leaders of Africa’s faith traditions united in prayer for the 157 victims, who included two priests and a Roman Catholic nun.
Nun in South Sudan honored for protecting education for girls
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 8, 2019
(RNS) — Sister Orla Treacy received a Women of Courage Award from the U.S. State Department for her efforts to educate girls in a war-torn country that values brides over female scholars.
New play ‘American Griot’ explores blues music’s Muslim and African roots
By Aysha Khan — March 5, 2019
PALOS HILLS, Ill. (RNS) – A musical play explores the shared history of Islam, Africa and blues music through the eyes of an enslaved storyteller-musician.
South African pastor’s resurrection stunt draws mockery and memes
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 5, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A viral video of a man purportedly being raised from the dead has punctured the credibility of Africa's increasingly influential Pentecostal churches.
Somali sheikh leads a seven-year campaign to end female genital mutilation
By Doreen Ajiambo — February 27, 2019
MOGADISHU, Somalia (RNS) — With sermons and through local media, Sheikh Ibrahim Hassan has made it his mission to convince parents and girls in his country that FGM is a cultural practice, not a religious one.
Kenya’s Catholic bishops provoke debate over public health and contraception
By Doreen Ajiambo — February 11, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Citing an acute shortage of priests as a reason to obey the Vatican's longstanding ban on artificial forms of family planning, a bishop ignited a larger debate about family size and poverty.
After Dusit attack, Kenya’s clergy urge all faiths to account for their youths
By Fredrick Nzwili — January 22, 2019
MUCHATHA, Kenya (RNS) – Like Ali Salim Gichunge, the alleged mastermind of the Dusit D2 terrorist attack, the new crop of radicalized Islamists are well-educated, live ordinary lives and are not easy to detect.
Pushed by politicians, polygamy enjoys a heyday among Christians in Kenya
By Tonny Onyulo — January 4, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Despite opposition from local Catholic church leaders, young and old men have taken advantage of a 4-year-old law liberalizing the practice.
LGBT people flee Tanzania amid police crackdown
By Doreen Ajiambo — December 5, 2018
ISEBANIA, Tanzania (RNS) — 'I’m fearing for my life,' said one man before crossing the border to Kenya. 'Police are breaking into homes of suspected homosexuals and arresting them.'
