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Following the results of the Colombian Referendum on the Peace Agreements, held on October 2nd, with “No” emerging victorious (50.2% to 49.8% against) on a very low turnout (37.4% of registered voters), the Colombian episcopate have invited political leaders and the entire population to overcome polarisation and divisions. The statement of the Bishops’ Conference of Colombia (CEC), …

Colombia: After the referendum, the Bishops promote a “culture of encounter” Read More »

Pope Francis met on October 6th with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and 35 Primates of the Anglican communion, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey of Canterbury. During the meeting, the Pope said: “It is a beautiful sign of fraternity to see the …

Pope Francis and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby: “Our continuing common journey” Read More »

Mexico is a country that has venerated corn for many centuries. This is evident not only in the diverse dishes based on this grain, but also in the many enduring customs related to its worship. Here, we consider the traditional planting celebration. Corn is the divine grain – a key component of the human myth of origin and of …

Mexico: The Planting Celebration Read More »

In the Karimojong group living in north-east Uganda, the prophet (ekadwaran) is an important figure. The status of prophet is the highest possible status an elder can attain, and therefore demonstrates the significance of the elder to his people. Akidwar means to foretell and to prophesy; adwaris indicates a capacity to prophesy in a particularly accurate manner; and ekadwaran stands …

Uganda: The Karimojong Prophets Read More »

The Republic of Congo ranks among the top five oil producers on the African continent. The oil and resource extraction, however, has strained a parched landscape, caused deforestation, polluted rivers and impoverished communities – all while the profits of such activities enrich foreign companies and local governments. Huge trees, tropical plants, and dense vegetation soaked with …

Republic of Congo: Oil Does Not Flow for the Poor Read More »

The John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre (JPIIJPC) is a consortium of five religious institutes: Missionaries of Africa, Mill Hill, Comboni Missionaries, Holy Cross, Jesuits, and Comboni Sisters. Reflecting on church life in the country, the major superiors of these congregations in Uganda recognised that the people of God in Uganda were still affected …

Uganda: Justice and Peace Centre Read More »

In spite of the horrors of war, life is beautiful in South Sudan, when children play together as brothers and sisters and do not see others as their enemies and threats – as some adults often do. This is the experience of Bill Firman, De La Salle Christian Brother and Executive Director of Solidarity of …

South Sudan: When Life Can Be Beautiful Read More »

The Masaba people, or Bamasaaba, live in the Eastern Ugandan districts of Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale and Bulambuli. They comprise about 1 million people. The Bamasaaba are famous for their traditional male circumcision ceremonies, held every even year. In a three-day ceremony of dancing and feasting, preceded by months of preparation, the initiates are admitted into …

Uganda: ‘Imbalu’, the Pride of Bamasaaba Read More »

At the end of the rain season and after the harvest, the Wirraritari, as the Huicholes call themselves in their native language, thank their gods for their protection and generosity with a nightly celebration – a tradition which they have inherited from their ancestors. The Huichol people are an ethnic group living in the Sierra Madre …

Mexico: The Huicholes’ Drum Festival Read More »

Under the shadow of the tamarind trees in market square, and in the adjoining alleys, scores of people turn to keram. A board game a curios mix of billiard and table shuffleboard. We look at the game. Visitors to the island of Lamu, which is part of the Lamu Archipelago of Kenya, are always struck …

The Island of Lamu in Kenya: Keram, a Board Game Read More »