Pope Francis: World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 2020
On September 27th 2020, the Church marks the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. For the title of his annual message, the Holy Father has chosen ‘Forced like Jesus Christ to flee’ to focus on the pastoral care of internally displaced people (IDPs). A synopsis of his message. Pope Francis said: “I have decided […]
African Witnesses: Father Kiggundu, In Defence of the Truth
On January 16, 1973, at Rubaga, in a packed cathedral, the funeral service for Fr. Clement Kiggundu was held. In concluding the homily, the Archbishop of Kampala, E.K. Nsubuga, said: “If you opened the coffin and saw what remains of him, you would be shocked.” The body of Fr. Kiggundu had been found two days […]
Oral Literature: Tortoise and Hare
Tortoise and Hare were chatting when Tortoise declared: “I bet I can beat you in a race.” Hare was stunned for a minute. He wasn’t sure he heard Tortoise correctly. “Did you say something about a race?” Hare asked. Tortoise elaborated: “I challenge you to a race and I want all the animals present to […]
Uganda: Rapid Malaria Testing Kit Innovation
Brian Gitta and a group of his friends, all students of Makerere University in Kampala, are the founders of Matibabu, a low cost and reusable malaria testing kit. Matibabu facilitates a bloodless test that reduces time in the diagnosis of malaria. It is a non-invasive application that tests for malaria without a prick on the […]
Vocation Story: In My Heart There Is Only Gratitude
“For nine years, I stressed self-reliance in all its aspects. I visited local communities, spending time with the sick and families, supervising the various groups, especially of young people, training lay ministers, and administering the sacraments.” Father Missay Soku Jérôme, a Comboni Missionary from Democratic Republic of the Congo talks about his experience in a […]
The American Continent: Curative multifunctional masks
The masks of the Americas, despite the differences in styles of the ethnic groups in the various regions, all embody the curative powers manifested during the rituals held for this purpose. The peoples of America have multifunctional curative masks which do not pertain to just a single pathology. Let us take, for example, the woven […]
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. Kiwanuka was born at Kisawaba, in the South of Uganda on 8 May 1922. […]
Empowering Girls in Informal Settlement
The sight of women struggling to raise their families within the confines of slums became a distress call for one woman: Stella Mwende Agatha. Stella, also brought up in a slum, is the founder of Mrembo empowerment centre. Mrembo empowerment centre is a social enterprise that was started in 2017. In Swahili, Mrembo means beauty. […]
Africa: Masks that Protect and Heal
Wearing a mask is essential when faced with a virus like Covid-19. The notion of human protection from disease by the use of masks is a practice that goes back thousands of years in the traditions of great civilisations all over the world. A glance at African cultures. In Africa, various traditions have used masks […]
Nine challenges facing young people in Syria
For over nine years, violence and displacement have devastated opportunities for youth across the country. Here are nine of the most pressing challenges facing young people in Syria today. Damaged schools School buildings across Syria have not been shielded from the conflict. Many classrooms have been severely damaged and, in some cases, only rubble remains. […]
