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 […]
Vocation Story: Father Stefano, from ski instructor to Comboni missionary in South Sudan
Why should a young person who has succeeded in fulfilling the dream of his life and became a ski instructor on the mountains of Northern Italy choose to go to South Sudan? The answer, indeed the answers, each different and unique, in fact, lie above all in the story of those who made the choice […]
Reflection: Global Warming Can be Stopped
One of the most famous and committed protectors of the natural world and defender of the planet is David Attenborough. Recently, he gave a speech online to the UN members of the Security Council on climate change and security. Climate change is disrupting our world and the temperature has risen one degree centigrade and it […]
Brother Michele Sergi: The Great Miracle
Forty years of missionary life in Khartoum (Sudan). His work for the youth. His Club. Living close to the people. Brother Michele Sergi was born on 20 April 1910, in Galliano del Capo, southern Italy. From childhood, he felt a desire to give himself to others. This was not just a desire he could not […]
Peace in African proverbs
Proverbs, expressions of experiences that left signs on the life and soul of humanity, mark a field of action, indicate a path, point to a danger, and underline a contradiction. So, when the wisdom of a people affirms: It is impossible to make peace with a sword (Kongo – DR Congo) and sustains: War is […]
Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl of Morocco
One of the most beautiful cities in North Africa is the blue Moroccan city known as Chefchaouen. It is above all else a place of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between peoples and religions. It is known as the “Blue Pearl” due to its historical centre painted in blue which distinguishes it from the other […]