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 […]
South Sudan: Comboni missionary appointed Bishop of Rumbek
Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Christian Carlassare, Comboni missionary, as Bishop of Rumbek, South Sudan. In his first message to the Christian communities of the diocese the new bishop said: “I am grateful to Pope Francis and the Church for the love and trust that have shown by calling me to the episcopal ministry and […]
Brazil: Capoeira, the dance of the resistance
A martial art that combines dance, self-defence and music, with its roots in ritual Bantu dances. In Brazil, it is the symbol of the fight against racism and social exclusion. It is not just a way of fighting but an expression of cultural identity, in particular that of the African-Brazilians. Dancing, singing, oral culture and […]
Oral Literature: the Leopard and the Dog
It once happened that a leopard and a dog were very great friends; the leopard was, however, the owner of the house in which they lived; the dog was treated more as a servant than a friend by the leopard. When the rainy season began, the leopard said to the dog, “Let us go and […]
Mexico: colours, the meanings and rituals of everyday life
The purple, carmín (deep red) and blue were very popular colours among ancient inhabitants of Mexico because they were associated with the population’s cosmovision. Colours were often symbols of power, strength, nobility, fertility, territory and culture. The three colours are of indigenous origin and today they are used in many communities to dye traditional garments […]