Africa

Our concern for Africa is shaped by long term relationsips between Maryknoll missioners and the people of Sudan and South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Namibia. We honor their strength and wisdom and believe that African cultures and traditions often suggest solutions to seemingly intractable local and global problems.

In Africa our Global Concerns work is at times country-specific, focussing, for example, on the slow process toward peace between Sudan and South Sudan, or the genocide in Darfur; the political and economic collapse of Zimbabwe; the introduction of genetically modified seeds or the political situation in Tanzania; efforts to stop corruption in Kenya, among other issues. We also address transnational issues of great concern to all people in Africa: deep and endemic poverty; the HIV and AIDS pandemic; the call for the cancellation of illegitimate and overwhelming debt without conditions that worsen poverty; just trade agreements; the rights of women and children; and environmental degradation.

Cross

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Maryknoll Fr. David Schwinghamer, currently working at the Palabek Refugee Camp in Uganda, home to many refugees from South Sudan, reflects on the great faith of the people of Africa.

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Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Maryknoll Father Tom Tiscornia in South Sudan reflects on the need to engage in new beginnings and challenges as one community and with trust in God’s goodness.

Path from Paris Infographic

Fact Sheets

The following resources were created by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.

John Barth

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Maryknoll Father John Barth reflects on the light of Jesus shining in all corners of the world, even in refugee settlement camps for South Sudanese people.

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Fifth Sunday of Lent

Maryknoll Sr. Mary Frances Kobets in Zimbabwe reflects on Jesus’ example of letting one’s clean heart beat for others.

Tanzania Mike Snyder with medical students 2011

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Maryknoll Father Michael Snyder asks, as followers of Christ, how will we respond to the challenges life, knowing that God resides within us here and now?

Maasai Women on the move

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Maryknoll Sister Jareen Aquino applies Jesus’ call to the Apostles to “come and see” to the girls and young women in need of education and empowerment in Tanzania. 

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Second Sunday of Advent

Father Frank Breen reflects on the everlasting promise of the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom of God.