Africa

• 19 April 2005
  AFRICA/SENEGAL - “A Pope of deep spirituality who will make an impact on Africa” says a missionary in Senegal commenting election of Pope Benedict 16th Dakar (Fides Service)- “The election of Pope Benedict 16th came as a surprise in Senegal because he is not very well known here” Oblate Missionary Fr. Tonino Mazzeo stationed in Dakar told Fides. “But I am sure tha ...
• 19 April 2005
  AFRICA/EGYPT - “Keen awareness of our own Christian identity is fundamental for interreligious dialogue” says expert is Islamic studies with regard to the election of Benedict XVI Cairo (Fides Service)- “It is early yet to hear reactions from the Muslim world to the election of Benedict XVI” Comboni missionary Fr. Luciano Verdesca expert on Islam stationed in Cairo told Fides. “As a Catholic ...
• 19 April 2005
  AFRICA/SUDAN - “A man of profound humanity and great spirituality and he is very kind” says Bishop of El Obeid who has met Benedict XVI personally Khartoum (Fides Service) - “I am very happy for the election of Benedict XVI” Bishop Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid in southern Sudan told Fides. “This Pope represents continuity with the papacy of John Paul II. He ...
• 19 April 2005
  AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - “We hope the Pope will continue like his predecessor to defend human rights and promote the cause of peace”. South Africans say after election of Benedict XVI Pretoria (Fides Service)- “Catholics and non Catholics in South Africa hope the new Pope Benedict XVI will continue to work of his predecessor, John Paul II, to defend human rights and promote peace in the world” Co ...
• 19 April 2005
  AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Church bells throughout the diocese are ringing to greet Benedict XVI in Bukavu, in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo Bukavu (Fides Service)- “We are overjoyed. This is a time of deep emotion. Church bells are ringing in jubilation ” Fr. Luigi Lo Stocco, director of Radio Maria Queen of Peace in Bukavu diocese, in south Kivu in the ...
• 18 April 2005
  AFRICA/ETIOPIA - After members of all religions grieved for the passing of John Paul II in the Eparchy of Adigrat people pray to accompany the election of the new Pontiff Adigrat (Fides Service)- Also in Ethiopia people are praying to accompany the election of the new Pontiff. “Since they learned the sad news of the Pope’s death, Catholics the Eparchy of Adigrat have been giving thank ...
• 18 April 2005
  AFRICA/TOGO - As elections approach the situation becomes incandescent: at least 7 killed in clashes between demonstrators and police on Saturday, but government says it cannot confirm that people were killed Lome (Fides Service)- The political climate in Togo takes fire 6 days before presidential elections on Sunday 24 April. Street protests on Saturday 16 April led to fierce clashes between demonstrators and police. Represe ...
• 18 April 2005
  AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - More than 10,000 militia hand in weapons in north east Ituri region of Congo where at least 60,000 have died since 1999 in civil war Bunia (Fides Service)- A United Nations disarmament operation is underway in the north eastern Ituri region of Democratic Congo where at least 60,000 have been killed in civil war since 1999 involving about ten ethnic g ...
• 16 April 2005
  AFRICA/ALGERIA - “The new Pope is sure to be another Good Shepherd, close to those who suffer from war and poverty” Archbishop Henri Teissier of Algiers tells Fides Algiers (Fides Service) - “In Algeria we heard the news of the Pope’s death with profound sorrow, but also with hope and trust in the Holy Spirit that the new Pope too will be a Good Shepherd for the Church and above ...
• 15 April 2005
  AFRICA/KENYA - Diocese of Marsabit mourns missionaries who devoted their lives to helping the poorest of the poor Nairobi (Fides Service)- Marsabit diocese in northern Kenya is mourning two beloved missionaries, according to CISA Catholic news agency in Nairobi. Italian Father Attilio Ravasi, a Consolata missionary, who died on 13 ...
• 15 April 2005
  AFRICA/CÔTE D'IVOIRE - New dilatory manoeuvres in Côte d'Ivoire. “It is time for the international community to exercise pressure on Ivorian political leaders” Fides sources say Abidjan (Fides Service)- Everything has been postponed until tomorrow Saturday 16 April. Representatives of the government and the New Forces rebels meeting yesterday 14 April, in Bouake, in the north of Côte d'Ivoire f ...
• 14 April 2005
  AFRICA/BURUNDI - Cautious optimism in Burundi after news of cease-fire announced by the remaining group of active rebels Bujumbura (Fides Service)- “The news of a cease-fire offered by the remaining rebel group still active has been received with cautious optimism” local Church sources in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi told Fides. The ...
• 14 April 2005
  AFRICA/SUDAN - Catholic Church in Sudan identifies priorities after peace agreement: forgiveness and reconciliation, care and resettlement of refugees, better relations with donors and partners Khartoum (Fides Service)- Care and resettlement of refugees, fight AIDS and guarantee efficient healthcare and education systems were the priorities identified by the Catholic Bishops of Sudan for the reconstruction of s ...
• 14 April 2005
  AFRICA/MALAWI - Death of first Bishop of Mangochi: “I want to be a good religious today so I can be a good missionary tomorrow” Lilongwe (Fides Service) - “I want to be a good religious so I can be a good missionary tomorrow”. “I think this sentence reveals Mgr Assolari’s pastoral and missionary spirit” Fr Daniele Carraro, provincial su ...
• 13 April 2005
  AFRICA/ETIOPIA - Millions of Ethiopians face starvation. Guaranteed only 20% of what is necessary for healthcare, water, sanitation and farming Rome (Fides Service) - The United Nations World Food Programme launched an appeal for 33 million dollars to allow it to continue to feed 1.5 million people over the next two and a half months. The WFP warns that the futu ...