The land with the golden sun
Turning the Sahara Desert into a giant solar farm could power Europe 7,000 times over. But how would we keep the panels clear of sand? If the Sahara desert were a country, it would be fifth biggest in the world – it’s larger than Brazil and only slightly smaller than China and the US, covering […]
Organised crime and poor policy behind Africa’s looming drugs crisis
Africa faces a substantial increase in illegal drug use fuelled by organised crime and ineffective policy. In the next 30 years, sub-Saharan Africa will see the world’s biggest surge in illicit drug users with its share of global drug consumption projected to double. This is according to new research and analysis of Africa’s drug trade, […]
Indigenous peoples are key stakeholders
Though humankind cannot afford to lose the Amazonian forests, deforestation is progressing fast. Research shows that officially recognised indigenous territories serve as protective barriers. National governments must promote this cause. Recent trends of backing away from environmental protection, for example in Brazil, will only cause massive harm at the continental and even global level. For millennia, […]
Synod on the Amazon: Looking far
A special Synod on the Amazon called by Pope Francis to be held in Rome this October. The difficulties and opportunities that this important ecclesial event implies. The first difficulty is that many people, both outside and inside the Church, do not know what a synod is, nor do they know what the Amazon is, nor have they heard that a […]
Martyr of Amazonia: Brother Paul McAuley
He gave his life for the poor of Amazonia. His commitment to guard our “Common Home” was his evangelical mandate. On April 3 last, at Iquitos, in the north-west region of Peru, at the Intercultural Studies Community, some young hostel residents found the lifeless, charred body of Paul McCauley, 71, a British missionary member of […]
Amazon Synod: “We have a life and a history that is sacred”
In the Amazon’s borderlands, ‘you have to be prepared’ for anything. The parish where Sister Maria Emilia Molenda Kuche works stretches along the banks of the Amazon River and far up the Yavari River, an area sparsely populated by Tikuna, Yagua and Kukama Indians. It takes about eight hours to reach the village closest to […]
Amazon: Faith, Solidarity, Action
As part of the global ecumenical community we, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with churches and communities across the Amazon region. The ecological crisis of the rainforests calls for ongoing efforts by ecumenical partners to achieve peace and justice at local, national, regional and international levels. It is in this context we endorse and support […]
Resistance and Prophesy in Amazonia
Instead of the model of plunder, the Amazonian communities propose that of co-existence with nature. And Pope Francis stands by their side. “For us they are important names. Our city is called Açailândia, the land of the açaì, the Amazon fruit most full of life. Mother Earth, like all mothers, gives us our name. Our […]
Vocation Story: “God surprises me”
Perseverance and Faithfulness will carry us all the way long. All is a gift from God. Be grateful, do what you can and remain faithful to the call of Jesus. That will bring you to the good end. A Comboni Brother from Germany tell us his story. I am a 72 years old. I belong […]
Martyr of Amazonia: Father Ezekiel Ramin
“I love you all and I love justice. Let us not approve violence, even if we are treated violently. The Father who is speaking to you has received death threats. Dear brothers, if my life belongs to you, so will my death “. As the old jeep moves swiftly along the narrow, dirt road through […]