Joan Chittister: Thanks, President Trump — I learned a lot from you
I’ve learned a lot from President Donald Trump in none of the ways I wanted to. From where I stand, through it all I learned that the complacency of “it can’t happen here” has died here these past four years. Just as it did in Munich in 1939
Witnesses: Kiwanuka Benedict, “Ready to risk my life”
The Ugandan politician Benedict Kagima Mugumba Kiwanuka was one of the early leaders in the independence movement in the country. He was murdered by Idi Amin. His courageous contribution makes him a pioneer of the democracy and human rights in Uganda.
Notre-Dame’s rebuilding: The battle over the future of the cathedral
After Notre-Dame Cathedral had been saved from the flames, French politicians and architects seemed determined to modernise the structure. So how is it that the authorities have decided to rebuild Notre-Dame as it was before? Agnès Poirier explains what happened behind the scenes – and why the French media are calling it “the building site of the century”.
Brazil: Close to the People
Brazil is the country struck hardest by Covid-19. Comboni Father Saverio Paolillo has sent us some reflections on rethinking our lifestyles.
Zimbabwe: In Search of the Lost City
Grand Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s largest and most complex archaeological sites. Its origins and decline are mysterious, and we visited it.
Our global crisis has brought one conception of life to an end — what comes next?
The rapid and uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, despite its low lethality rate, has brought out the anxiety of death and shaken the illusion of industrialised, individualistic, and aging societies, which believed themselves to be unshakable — even immortal. No one on the planet can feel safe from the risk of contagion.
Witnesses: Vandana Shiva, Safeguarding Biodiversity
One of the major international personalities who strives for the safeguarding of biodiversity and who is against the monopolising of the planet’s resources, especially water, is the Indian activist Vandana Shiva.
Ethiopia marks World Environment Day aiming to plant 5bn trees
Marking World Environment Day, Ethiopia’s President launches a project that aims to plant 5 billion tree seedlings amid the enduring Covid-19 pandemic that has led to the drawing of parallels between the global health crisis and climate change.
The Nubian people: between Egypt and Sudan
The legacy of the time of the Pharaohs of the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty is being ransomed after the silence caused by intentionally misrepresented history. Now, researchers and institutions are recovering the splendour of the Nubian civilization.
Kenya historical sites: Gedi, a country town
The Swahili coast is dotted with settlements, some dating back to the X century. Apart from the many villages, there is an impressive number of towns boasting permanent buildings, often two or three story high. Among the most known ruins is Gedi, 100 km north of Mombasa. We visited the place.
Oral Literature: The tortoise and the drum
One day, the tortoise was walking along a forest path when he came across a palm tree that had plenty of palm kernel fruits.
Traffic jams, Christmas trees and banana beer: December in Kinshasa
For us Congolese Christians – and African Christians more widely – Christmas is a celebration of our ubuntu, or the humanity that binds us collectively together. And that is what Christmas is all about. That is the rich Christmas theology embedded within African culture.
Uganda: Akigat, the prayer to the God
The people from Tapac are referred to as the tapeth. They live in the mountain ranges of mountain Moroto in the northeast part of Uganda. We look at the intercession prayer known as Akigat
Oral Literature: How the dogs came
A long time ago there were no domestic animals, all were wild, and all were the enemy of man. They feared him, and he feared them, unless they were too small to do him any harm.
Africa: Pioneering the Fight against Plastic Waste
While Europe is only tentatively taking action against the flood of plastic articles, countries in Africa have taken drastic measures against disposable plastic bags, the most widespread form of plastic waste. Plastic waste pollution has since been recognised as one of the global most dangerous pollutants.
Mining Resources in Africa: Curse and Opportunity
Mining operations and global consumption of natural resources continue to increase annually. However, while developed countries protect their natural resources with sustainable development policies and high social and labour standards to protect the environment, the economies of developing countries are increasingly becoming dependent on export of its natural resources.
Oral Literature: The Blacksmith’s Dilemma
There was once a blacksmith called Walukaga, who was very skilled at all kinds of metal-work. Every day a small crowd of people would gather at his smithy and watch him at work making hoes for the farmers, knives and spears for the hunters, or armlets and bracelets to decorate the young men and maidens.
Oral literature: The Hare and the Hyena
One day, a long time ago when there was a famine in a certain part of Africa, Hare met Hyena. “How thin you are looking,” said Hare. “You look as though you would not say No to a good meal either,’ replied Hyena.
The unprecedented scale of anti-Christian persecution in Asia
Nationalism, authoritarianism and militant Islamism: across Asia, the faithful are facing a perfect storm
African Witness: Julius Nyerere
Nyerere will be remembered for his outstanding personality and charismatic leadership. He lived a very simple life. Among his most important achievements we would mention first of all his concern for the rural population of Tanzania in trying to lift them out of poverty, ignorance and disease…
Martyr of Amazonia: Sr. Dorothy Stang
On 12 February 2005, the whole of Brazil was stunned by the news that Sr Dorothy Stang had been assassinated. That morning, the gunmen contracted to kill her found her alone on a track in the middle of the Amazonian forest.
Gratitude as a Daily Practice
One may define gratitude as “the quality of being thankful.” Alternatively, we can think of it as an attitude, emotion, personal trait, or behavioral practice. However it is conceived, the … Continua a leggere
The Imperfection of Perfectionism
Standards can stimulate personal growth and push a person to reach a peak level of performance, ideally bringing enjoyment and developing confidence. Problems arise, though, when the standards a person sets for herself or for others are unrealistically high and inflexible. Standards become problematic when they lapse into perfectionism.
African Witness: South Africa – Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli
A leading figure in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize recipient, was a product of Christian mission schools.
Habit versus Addiction
It is not uncommon to wonder if a behavior we are engaging in or witnessing is a habit or an addiction. This question can become particularly complicated when the behavior does not involve substance use. In a society where technology usage is increasing across all ages, questions and concerns about internet addiction have grown quickly.
African grasslands are meant to burn – we can’t let this distract from the Amazon fire
In contrast to Africa’s fires, the fires in the Amazon are burning in forest areas where the cost to biodiversity, indigenous people and carbon is likely to be extremely high.
Fires on the African continent and those of the Amazon
As the world has watched with fear and fascination the fires burning in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, satellite images show a far greater number of blazes on the African continent. But there are some differences.
African Witness: Kenya – Wangari Maathai, Freedom Fighter
Through her Green Belt Movement, Wangari Maathai mobilised thousands of women to plant millions of trees in Kenya. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. A practising Catholic, she was a member of the Legion of Mary throughout her life. Cancer took her away prematurely in 2011
The unnamable violence: Why the West is silent about the wave of desecration
On July 26, paint was splashed on the faces and crotches of figures in the Valinhos Way of the Cross in Fatima, Portugal. It’s just the latest example of a wave of desecrations – arson, statue-smashing, obscene graffiti – across the West.
Some Rules for Peace-Making
If our efforts at peace-making are to be fruitful, both within the intimate circles of our primary communities as well as in the wider circles of social justice, we must truly remain non-violent.
Oral literature: The man with seven dogs
Once upon a time, there lived a man called John who was a hunter as well as a magician. John had seven dogs and seven large black pots. The dogs were useful for hunting while the pots protected him from his enemies.
The future of the natural world
We humans, the species on this planet with the large brains, so-called intelligence and abilities and power to change the face of our planet, are doing so with a huge negative impact. We are endangering ourselves, our children and grandchildren and generations of children to come will be harmed by our wasteful and negligent ways.
Oral Literature: Why the Bat flies at night
0nce upon a time, the bat and the bush-rat were great friends. All day long they would go hunting in the bush together, dodging between the tall grasses and the stunted trees, and finding good things to eat. When evening came, they would take turns to cook the meal and then eat it together.
Oral Literature: The Rice Flower
A long time ago, a woman named Mak Kantan and her daughter, Melur, were known to make the most delicious kuih (dessert foods) in the village.
Oral Literature: The Leopard and the Boy
Long ago and far away there was a wealthy man who had several wives. All of a sudden, this man learned that his town was to be invaded by men from another tribe.
Zambezi River: Threats and Opportunities for the “Great River”
The Zambezi River is one of Africa’s main energy assets and could become as well one of the continent’s main water highway, but many threats ranging from climate change to the risk of collapse of the Kariba dam, must be addressed.
Oral Literature: Nigeria: Thunder and Lightning
A long time ago, both thunder and lightning lived on this earth, among all the people. Thunder was an old mother sheep and Lightning was her son, a handsome ram, but neither animal was very popular.
Learn how to become time-wasters
As February begins, we have all had time to fail at our New Year’s resolutions: more workouts at the gym, making the bed every morning, waking up earlier. Maybe your goal for 2019 was to manage your time more efficiently. Pope Francis, on the other hand, wants us to learn how to do the opposite: to become time-wasters.
Oral literature: How the stars were born
One day, two friends named Ebopp and Mbaw went off in search of a good site to establish a farm with fine fields of grain and peanuts. They looked here and they looked there until they finally found the right place.
At COP24, countries agree concrete way forward to bring the Paris climate deal to life
After two weeks of crunch negotiations – with overtime – the almost 200 parties gathered in Katowice, Poland, for the United Nations COP24 two-week climate change conference, adopted on Saturday a “robust” set of implementing guidelines for the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, aimed at keeping global warming well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
Oral Literature: How the first river was made
A long long time ago, when God made this earth, He chose the mighty elephant to be king of the world. The elephant and his subjects roamed through the dark … Continua a leggere
Oral Literature: Why the Monkey Still Has a Tail
Once upon a time the monkey and the rabbit made a contract. The monkey was to kill all the butterflies and the rabbit was to kill all the snakes.
Oral Literature. The tortoise and the drum
One day, the tortoise was walking along a forest path when he came across a palm tree that had plenty of palm kernel fruits. The tortoise was hungry and the fruits looked juicy and ripe to eat, if only he could reach one of them.
Africa polluted by used cars from Europe
The crisis of diesel car sales in Europe and the depreciation of those in circulation are accentuating the phenomenon of “environmental dumping” affecting Africa and is destined to worsen air pollution levels in the cities of the continent which already causes the deaths of a quarter of a million people.
Uganda: A Traditional Karamojong Wedding
The Karamojong are an ethnic group of agro-pastoral herders living mainly in the north-east of Uganda. We look at their traditional wedding.
Republic Of Central Africa: A Church With Open Arms
Some dioceses have had their priests killed and churches destroyed but nevertheless they take in the homeless and the needy. The Episcopal Conference promotes interreligious dialogue and seeks to get internal and international political institutions moving. The testimony of Mons. Juan José Aguirre, Bishop of Bangassou.
Ethiopia: The Sidama People – Magano, The First Ancestor
The Sidama people are a deeply religious ethnic group that lives in southern Ethiopia. They say that ‘Magano (God), created their ancestors and took them away’.
Oral Literature: Spider & the Lion
0ne day Spider went to the river to fish. It must have been Spider’s lucky day, for the fish swarmed around him until at last he had a large pile lying on the muddy bank beside him.
“Now for a fire to cook my supper”, exclaimed Spider in delight, and quickly collecting a few sticks, he made a fire and began roasting his fish.
Oral Literature: How the Monkeys saved the Fish
The floods came so fast that many drowned except the lucky monkeys who used their proverbial agility to climb up into the treetops. They looked down on the surface of the water where the fish were swimming and gracefully jumping out of the water as if they were the only ones enjoying the devastating flood.
Oral Literature: The Crocodile & the Cockerel
Once upon a time, the crocodile was king of the animals. He was holding court one day. He sat majestically on his throne as he received petitions from his subjects and issued orders. A large crowd had gathered at the court on that day.
Kenya: Maasai – The Course Of Life
Exact rites mark the passage to an age group or becoming a member of a particular group. In this way, identity and world vision are preserved.
Jean Vanier’s ’10 rules for life to become more human’
Jean Vanier turned ninety this week. To commemorate the occasion he released a YouTube video laying out his “ten rules for life to become more human” by sharing his thoughts on life and on growing older. He speaks about success, vulnerability, listening, fear and love.
Oral Literature: The Leopard & The Rabbit
Once upon a time the Leopard lived in a small house far way in the bush. After thinking for a long time he decided to look for a better place. After a short time he found a suitable place nearer the other animals.
Oral Literature: The Magic Crocodile
There was once a very big cave. It was divided into two parts being dry and the bottom part filled with water. In the bottom part there lived a crocodile.
Impact Of Small Arms Proliferation On Africa
The consequences of small arms on African people due to international conflicts within Africa, rebel group activities, mercenary groups, and armed gang activities have yet to be fully measured. Armed conflict cost Africa $18 billion each year.
Swahili Myth – Heaven And Earth
When God’s moment had come, he began creating the world of matter. He rolled out the day-sky and the night-sky like an immense tent, or like carpets full of mysterious signs and symbols.
Swahili Myth – How Man Was Moulded
One day, God called together his angels. They all appeared before His Throne, performing the ritual prayer of morning-time. Then the Lord spoke: It has pleased Me to decide that I will create a being – with brains like you, but his substance will be clay. I will mould him out of earth, and on earth he will live.
Oral Literature: The Lion And Jabu
There was a young herd boy named Jabu. He took great pride in the way in which he cared for his father’s cattle. And his father had many cows. It was quite a task to keep these cows out of trouble, away from the farmer’s mealies (corn) and out of the dangerous roads.
Science versus Scientism
The problem with scientism, or one of its many problems, is that it tends to be prejudiced and therefore not very scientific…
Why the cave man is superior to “progressive” pride and prejudice.
Ghanaians are now living in ‘captivity’ – Catholic Bishop cries
The Catholic Bishop of Wiawso Diocese, Bishop Joseph Francis Kweku Essien has described the current situation Ghana as a country and its citizens are facing as a state of “captivity in our own land”.
Oral Literature: Wanjiru – Sacrificed By Her Family
The sun beat down mercilessly and there was no sign of any rain. This happened one year, and it happened again a second year, and even a third year, so … Continua a leggere
Oral Literature: Where Stories Come From, A Traditional Zulu Story – South Africa
Once, a very long time ago, so long ago that it must have been close to the time when the First Man and the First Woman walked upon the earth, there lived a woman named Manzandaba and her husband Zenzele.
