Saving the Forests is Saving the Planet
Forests are of vital importance to the wellbeing of all creatures, the natural world and especially humankind. They absorb most of the damaging CO2 that causes climate change. Their protection and restoration should be of highest national priority of each nation to hold back global warming from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius and avert the […]
Vocation story: Brother among brothers
“Wouldn’t you like to become a missionary” It took me a few seconds of reflection to reply:“Of course I would like to.” Brother Paulo Manuel Félix Ferreira, from Portugal tell us his story. I was born 53 years ago in Marvila, one of the fastest-growing neighbourhoods of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. My parents introduced me […]
Oral Literature: Why the Sun Shines by Day and the Moon by Night
In the beginning of the world the king called the people together to be given their tasks. He sent out messengers for them. He sent the dove to call the moon, and the bat to call the sun. Each messenger was given a certain time to go and return, so that they might all arrive […]
Herbs & Plants: Canarium schweinfurtii, a medicinal plant
Known as African olive or bush candle, this tropical tree is highly beneficial to human beings. Medicinal plants have been utilized for different medicinal purposes for thousands of years. These medicinal plants are processed in different forms such as teas, decoctions, infusions, powders, tinctures, poultices, and other herbal formulations before admission for a given health […]
Mexico: Taxco, an inspiring Holy Week
Holy Week in Taxco involves one of the most moving and impressive liturgical ceremonies to be found in Mexico. A fascinating and creative religious syncretism. The crowd observed total silence as they waited for the imminent arrival of the procession. The frightening, uneasy silence was gradually broken by an impressive staccato noise. In the distance, […]
Philippines: five centuries of Christianity, looking forward to the future
In 2021 the Church in the Philippines marks half a millennium of Christianity. “We are all ‘gifted to give.’ This is a challenge to both celebrate the Christian faith and be vigorously motivated to go and share this precious gift with others.” The latest statistics show that the Philippine population has reached nearly 110 million. […]
Somaliland: Incense, sweet-smelling fragrance from Heaven
The glowing coals give off a wonderful aroma: the smell of the incense fills churches, temples and baths. The best sort comes from Somaliland. Entire villages earn their living from the sale of the precious resin from the trees. The stony path winds down along the slope. It passes through the beds of dried-up streams […]
Oral Literature: the Lion, the Leopard, and the Dog
The lion, the leopard, and the dog were living together. They heard the news that the goat had built a big town. The lion said to the leopard, “We had better wage war on that town, as we have nothing to eat.” So, the two joined and carried on war against goat-town. They fought a […]
The Coronavirus Pandemic Raised Poverty in Latin America to 33.7%, its Highest Level in 12 Years
Poverty in Latin America increased in 2020 to the highest levels in the last 12 years, reaching 33.7% of the total population of the region, due to the economic crisis caused by covid-19, reported recently the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Despite the emergency, social protection measures adopted by the governments […]
Africa is home to six of the 10 crises identified by the UN
They are the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), the Sahel, Ethiopia, Mozambique and the Horn of Africa. Other crisis hotspots are Syria, Yemen, Myanmar and Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The UN notes the COVID-19 pandemic dominated much of the world’s attention last year adding “there are other crises that will continue […]
