International

Why the future of the world’s largest religion is female – and African

More and more Christians live outside Europe and North America, especially in Africa – and women are central to that story.

Small oil producers like Ghana, Guyana and Suriname could gain as buyers shun Russian crude

As the U.S. and Europe cut back purchases of Russian oil, and energy traders shun it for fear of sanctions, the search is on for other sources

The world united to pray to save the boy in the well. Why not children who die in war?

Over the past week, much of the world was gripped by the heartbreaking story of Rayan, a 5-year-old boy who had plunged 104 feet into a well in Morocco.

Evangelicals a rising force inside Argentine prisons

Over the past 20 years, Argentine prison authorities have encouraged, to one extent or another, the creation of units effectively run by evangelical inmates

Archbishop Desmond Tutu: father of South Africa’s ‘rainbow nation’

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu has died at the age of 90.
Archbishop Tutu earned the respect and love of millions of South Africans and the world. He carved out a permanent place in their hearts and minds, becoming known affectionately as “The Arch”.

African faith leaders combat misleading theologies that promise cures for COVID-19

In recent years the All Africa Conference of Churches, has moved to combat theological claims that harm Christians

Israel to allow 3,000 Ethiopian Jews to immigrate

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's government on Sunday approved the immigration of several thousand Jews from war-torn Ethiopia, some of whom have waited for decades to join their relatives in Israel. The decision took a step toward resolving an issue that has long...

Women taken from mothers in Congo seek Belgian reparations

'BRUSSELS (AP) — A court in Brussels has started considering a crimes against humanity lawsuit brought by five biracial women who were born in Congo and taken away from their Black mothers when they were little and the country was under Belgian colonial rule. Lea...

Kenyan Methodists defy ban on campaigning at church, saying ‘humans are political’

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Some churches in Kenya have barred politicians from addressing their congregations, saying campaigning during services disrespects the sanctity of worship. The national Anglican, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches have all issued bans, as...

Help And Hope For Haiti: An Interview with Fr. Joseph Philippe

In spite of the negative images, there is long term hope and help for Haiti. One of the people doing tremendous work not only in the aftermath of natural disasters, but daily, is Father Joseph Philippe.

Moroccans elect new leaders in shadow of virus

Moroccans voted Wednesday for a new parliament and local leaders in elections that have been reshaped by the pandemic, and whose outcome is hard to predict as opinion polls were not allowed.

The Faith of Our Fathers: Reclaiming the (North African) Church Fathers

Many African-Americans, don’t realize that some of the most influential theologians originated from northern Africa. Find out who they are and how they have influenced Christianity as we know it.

Tunisia’s president orders military to manage virus crisis

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia's president ordered the military Wednesday to take over managing the national COVID-19 pandemic response, as the country fights one of Africa's worst outbreaks. The military health service will be assigned the task, Tunisian President...

SLAIN HAITIAN PRESIDENT FACED CALLS FOR RESIGNATION, SUSTAINED MASS PROTESTS BEFORE KILLING

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in the early morning hours of July 7, 2021, in a brazen attack on his private home outside Port-au-Prince, the capital.

In Kenya, faith groups work to resettle youth returning from al-Shabab

In Kenya’s coastal region, interfaith efforts to slow down or end youth recruitment into the militant Islamist group al-Shabab are gaining progress, with some recruits abandoning the extremist group’s training grounds in Southern Somalia to return home.

Nigerian Women’s interfaith network builds bridges

“When Muslims and Christians sit together to explain how both religions operate it will aid understanding and put out any form of ignorance, stigma or hate that both parties have against one another.”

Quality research in Africa matters more than ever – for the whole world

Thanks to major science infrastructure, human resource training and education investment in African nations, the continent is well placed to lead from the front.

Lied to and abused, trafficked persons from Zimbabwe find some healing

Catholic sisters are part of a counseling services network.

The historic selection of Kamala Harris as the Democrats’ VP candidate resonates in the Caribbean

Harris’ father, an economist and professor emeritus at Stanford University, was born in Jamaica when it was still under British rule — and although she identifies as American, Caribbean netizens still claim her as a descendant of the region.

Compendium of New Research Celebrates African Solutions to National and Global Problems

Africa has produced some of the most thoughtful and articulate leaders in the world on how political systems can best be designed.

How to ensure that coronavirus doesn’t stop peace efforts in Africa

Local peacebuilders must step up to the plate with support from their counterparts in the international community.

The Women Engineers Solving Tanzania’s Sanitation Problems

Dar Es Salaam is slowly overcoming the sexism that pervades the field of engineering, drawing on the skills of its women engineers in an effort to tackle the city’s sanitation challenges.

In Brazil, historic black lay Catholic ‘brotherhoods’ fight to survive

After centuries of resisting slavery, racism and inequality, dozens of black Catholic lay associations are hopeful that a new network and changes in the Church will extend their history.

Methodist Church Southern Africa Enters New Era with Women Leaders

Bishop Purity Malinga is the first woman to be appointed Presiding Bishop in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in over 200 years.

Panama celebrates its black Christ, part of protest against colonialism and slavery

The statue of black Christ has a deep significance for the people of Panama. An object of deep devotion, it also serves as a reminder of colonialism.

Ghana’s Year of Return 2019: traveler, tourist or pilgrim?

For Africans and diasporans, learning about their heritage is important. But it remains to be seen how this will translate into a sustained continental and diasporan engagement.

Democracy in Africa: success stories that have defied the odds

Africa’s democracies have grown stronger during a period in which the world is backsliding on democracy.

Hope springs from need: In Africa, wisdom from a street vendor

The more humans seek happiness, the more it can elude them. In exploring this conundrum, a Nigerian novelist spoke with everyday people in his country, finding the coexistence of hope and deprivation.

First ladies in Africa: a close look at how three have wielded influence

The presidents’ wives hold a lot of sway within the political power structure.

Once captives of Boko Haram, Four former Chibok schoolgirls find new purpose in PA

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: Four young women who escaped Boko Haram during the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl kidnapping are now studying in the US. Their professor recounts a recent breakthrough in their quest to go to college.

Butterfly business: Insect farmers help conserve East African forests

As many as 1,200 people living around the forests of coastal Kenya and Tanzania have turned to butterfly farming to make a living. Many of them were once loggers who now defend the forest.

In Nigeria’s tight election, the Christian vote is key

Ask worshippers at St. Charles Catholic Church what they want most from Nigeria’s presidential election, and the answer is peace. They don’t want any more bloodshed in Nigeria. In a bit of last-minute drama, the electoral commission decided early Saturday, just hours before polls were to open, to postpone the election until Feb. 23

The enigmatic man who founded southern Africa’s largest church

ZCC members at Moria City. Sowetan/Edward Maahlamela Every Easter weekend, several millions of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) faithful from across southern Africa descend on “Moria city”, the church’s capital in the north of the country, for their annual pilgrimage. The...

Celebrating Our Heritage Around the World

It’s that time of the year where we give special attention to sharing our heritage, history, and culture. Join us as we celebrate Black History all across the African diaspora.

Do truth and reconciliation commissions heal divided nations?

As long as unresolved historic injustices continue to fester in the world, there will be a demand for truth commissions. Unfortunately, there is no end to the need.

Congo on brink of first peaceful transfer with Tshisekeid win

Congo is on the brink of its first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960 after the Constitutional Court on Sunday confirmed the presidential election victory of Felix Tshisekedi, although questions remain about the result.

Black Canadian artists detangle the roots of Black beauty

A recent and powerful exhibit by New York artist Mickalene Thomas at the Art Gallery of Ontario has opened the door for some deep discussions about Black Canadian women and visual representation.

Remembering Lamin Sanneh, Yale expert on world Christianity

Sanneh, who died on Sunday, represented a particular kind of scholar that is hard to come by in today’s academy: a rigorous polymath who cared not only about the theoretical work of theology and history but also the everyday lives of those who believe.

Congo’s Catholic church says data show clear election winner

The Catholic church in Congo announced Thursday its data show a clear winner in Sunday’s presidential election, and it called on the electoral commission to publish the true results in “respect of truth and justice.”

Church leaders in Congo urge the country to go to the polls

Congo is preparing for a crucial vote to elect a successor for President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001. A successful election would mean the first peaceful transition of power for a country whose rule by dictators has been broken only by coups and civil wars.

What is it like to be a Christian in Egypt?

The new Arabic-language novel explores the lives of Egyptian Christians dealing with discrimination, but also a church aligned with a state seeking to control them.

How Nigeria can attract and keep the right kind of foreign direct investment

Two of the largest banking and financial services institutions in the world, HSBC and UBS, have recently closed their local representative offices in Nigeria. Foreign direct investment is crucial for any economy.

For Kenya’s Yiaku, medicinal herbs are their forest’s blessing and curse

The Yiaku, hunter-gatherers turned herders who live deep inside Mukogodo Forest in central Kenya, have relied on herbal remedies for ages, with knowledge passed orally from one generation to the next. However, high demand for the herbs from neighboring communities is exposing the forest to new threats — a trend mirrored across the country.

AFRICA & INTERNATIONAL