IRELAND

Uganda/Karamoja. Farewell to Arms

The Karamoja region has always been marked by violence. A project by the local diocese of Kotido is now supporting former Karimojong fighters on a new path of dialogue and personal and community growth. It’s one in the afternoon when, under the vast sky of Kotido, Karamoja, in northeastern Uganda, an important dialogue begins among […]

On the Road. The Meaning of Life and Love

It is time to think about the meaning of life and love. We need to examine the deeper, more enduring relationships that will give us more fully human experiences like married love, love of family and children, friendship and above all, the commitment to serve others for no reward. The Good Samaritan is the great […]

Herbs & Plants. Black Nightshade – Solanum Nigrum

The plant has a long record of use in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of conditions. For centuries, plants have played a vital role in human survival, culture, and healing. Among these, Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) stands out as a modest yet remarkable species. It is a small shrub, typically 30-120 cm […]

Justice in African Culture

Justice is about balance, both within the community and within the cosmos. Rather than being based on rights, justice is based on life itself as it is lived in a community. There are two words associated with justice in Luganda language in Uganda: bwenkanya and mazima. Bwenkanya means the capacity to equalise. The same word […]

Catholics growing in Africa

New data from the Annuario Pontificio 2026 and Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2024 highlight trends in baptized populations across the five continents, with a remarkable increase in the number of Catholics in Africa. The data in the Annuario Pontificio reveal several developments in the life of the Catholic Church worldwide for 2025. During this period, six […]

After the Jubilee. An Easter of Hope

We Christians must rekindle hope and shout it loudly to a world that has none. The Jubilee has ended, but its message should live on and not be lost: the message of hope. Pope Francis, in announcing the Jubilee, gave this instruction: “Pilgrims of hope.” Today, not only has faith grown weak, but even more […]

On the Road. 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 behavioural practice. However, it is conceived that the quality of being grateful is a foundational component of daily social exchange and can carry deep meaning both on interpersonal and intrapersonal levels. Perhaps […]

Herbs and plants: Commelina benghalensis. The versatile plant

The plant is not only a healing agent, but also a symbol of resilience and adaptability. Commonly known as the Bengal dayflower, it is a sprawling annual herb with both surface and subterranean growth. Its sparsely and short-pubescent stems sometimes produce underground runners with self-pollinating flowers. Its leaves are shiny, pale apple-green and ovate with […]

Significance of Meals in African Culture

In traditional African culture, eating a meal encompasses more than just food; it is a vital part of cultural practices, complete with its own rites and values. African people follow strict rules about their meals, and these occasions are often surrounded by taboos, especially those held within families or during significant celebrations. These are indeed […]

Mission Diary. Incredible Women

Comboni missionary Sister Tere Soto, from Mexico, talks to us about her commitment to women, listening to them and sharing their struggles and projects. During my years in Africa, I admired the remarkable work of women. They are responsible for feeding, educating, and caring for their children; they know how to manage their time, because […]