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.
Fr. David Schwinghamer, MM, a missioner with experience in Tanzania and Uganda, reflects on celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi during a pandemic. This scripture reflection was previously published on June 14, 2020.
Under the pretext of conservation, Indigenous Maasai pastoralists are being systematically expelled from their land.
Lay Missioner Anna Johnson reflects on the gift of BEING.
May 25th marks the 60th anniversary of World Africa Day. Maryknoll missioners in Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and most recently, Chad, invite us to celebrate the diverse beauty and…
Sr. Claris Zwareva, MM, contemplates the gifts of the Holy Spirit even in times of tragic loss.
Two rival generals of Sudan’s military have agreed to a three-day ceasefire but fears remain of an all-out civil war.
Kenya is caught in a huge debt crisis squeezing government finances. The following is an excerpt from an article published by Nation Kenya on April 27, written by editor Jaindi Kisero.
The Africa Faith and Justice Network released the following statement during the Work Bank/IMF Spring Meetings.
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Gabe Hurrish reflects on Jesus joining the disciples on the road to Emmaus
Sr. Mary Ellen Manz reflects on what it means to “have seen the Lord.”
We request your assistance in advocating for a sustainable and equitable solution that meets the reasonable needs of the hundreds of thousands pastoralists of the region, whose livelihoods rely on access to grazing lands and water.
After exposing cuts to public services for the Maasai in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania at the end of 2022, the Oakland Institute offers the following urgent update, detailing forced cattle seizures by the government in an ongoing attempt to force the Maasai off their lands.
The African continent is experiencing unprecedented and severe consequences of extreme heat this year, from a three-year drought in the Horn of Africa and record-setting temperatures in the south
Returned Maryknoll Lay Missioner Micheal Leen reflects on loving our enemies under difficult circumstances
Follow Pope Francis’s historic visit and pilgrimage for peace to the struggling African country.
The goal of the visit is to reinvigorate the peace process and to give the people of South Sudan hope for peace.
This article was previously published on Feb 5, 2017 “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” These are the words we hear in today’s Gospel. You don’t need a lot of salt in your kitchen, but a little bit sure does make the food taste better. We are called…
The Gospel reading for today is more challenging and terrifying than many others in the Bible. Jesus turns our entire way of thinking upside down. The Beatitudes would have had the same effect at the time as they do today, which is to strike at the heart of our humanness and our fears. The Beatitudes…
