South Africa
South African Anglicans regroup after defeat of same-sex blessing measure
By Fredrick Nzwili — October 5, 2016
(RNS) The rejection was a blow to LGBT activists and their supporters who held some hope for full inclusion in the church now that South Africa allows same-sex marriage.
Botswana deporting U.S. pastor over anti-gay views
By Jerome Socolovsky — September 20, 2016
GABORONE, Botswana (Reuters) -- Steven Anderson, of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Arizona, notoriously welcomed the gunning down in June of 50 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida by saying "there's 50 less pedophiles in this world."
Anti-gay Arizona pastor denied entry to South Africa
By Fredrick Nzwili — September 13, 2016
(RNS) The pastor of Tempe's Faithful Word Baptist Church was due to visit South Africa later this month for a series of evangelical events.
Desmond Tutu checks into hospital for infection
By Jerome Socolovsky — August 25, 2016
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Veteran South African anti-apartheid campaigner Desmond Tutu checked into a Cape Town hospital for a recurring infection, his daughter said on Wednesday. The bug put the former cleric in the hospital for a week last year.
South Africa’s ‘Great Big Challah Bakes’ kick off global Shabbos Project
By Brian Pellot — October 22, 2015
CAPE TOWN (RNS) This week's global Shabbos Project features yoga events and picnics in San Diego, a 3,000-person street dinner in downtown Los Angeles, and major events in 560 cities around the world.
Safe house in South Africa offers gays refuge, hope and ministry
By Brian Pellot — October 15, 2015
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (RNS) Inclusive and Affirming Ministries’ LGBTI safe house provides refuge for at-risk sexual minorities and a safe space to integrate “God’s gift of faith with God’s gift of sexuality.”
‘African Pride’ film shows violence against lesbians in townships
By Brian Pellot — June 15, 2015
CAPE TOWN (RNS) A new documentary looks at the effects of continuing homophobic violence against lesbians in South Africa's impoverished townships, and the activists who continue the struggle.
South African lesbians counter violence with visibility in ‘African Pride’
By Brian Pellot — June 11, 2015
In South Africa’s townships, where homosexuality is widely considered “un-African” and “un-Christian,” the rape and murder of lesbians is often met with indifference and impunity. Filmmaker Laura Fletcher shows how local activists are fighting for dignity, and their lives.
Desmond Tutu’s four steps to forgiving others: An RNS interview
By Jonathan Merritt — August 25, 2014
The Nobel prize winner offers advice on how to heal the heart after being hurt.
National Cathedral bids a warm, prayerful goodbye to Nelson Mandela
By Lauren Markoe — December 11, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Washington National Cathedral is a cavernous, hard-to-heat space, but the atmosphere was warm and intimate Wednesday as Nelson Mandela was honored for his struggle against apartheid.
COMMENTARY: Nelson Mandela preached with his life
By Cathleen Falsani — December 10, 2013
(RNS) Mandela lived his theology. He preached with his life. And his legacy is a scripture we will study for generations to come.
Seminary, private college form Desmond Tutu center
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — September 13, 2013
(RNS) Christian Theological Seminary and Butler University announced the creation of The Desmond Tutu Center, considered North America’s first and only academic center named after the religious leader.
Interview: Desmond Tutu on gay rights, the Middle East and Pope Francis
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — September 13, 2013
(RNS) "Naming a center after a person who is still alive can make it seem that an individual somehow on their own was able to accomplish what he accomplished. It was our people. "
African religious leaders reject Obama’s call to decriminalize homosexuality
By Fredrick Nzwili — July 5, 2013
(RNS) Some clerics said Obama’s statements on gays spoiled the welcome religious leaders and their followers could have accorded the first African-American president.
Desmond Tutu wins 2013 Templeton Prize for work on forgiveness
By Chris Herlinger — April 4, 2013
(RNS) The back-to-back wins by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu signal a shift for the Templeton Prize, which in recent years had gone to little-known physicists and theologians.
