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.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns signed the following letter to Secretary Mnuchin urging him to support debt cancellation and the use of Special Drawing Rights by the International Monetary Fund to help developing countries, particularly in Africa, manage the COVID-19 crisis.
The following article is adapted from a report by CIDSE, an international alliance of Catholic social justice organizations based in Brussels. The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns is a member of CIDSE.
Pope Francis designated the First Friday of Lent, February 23, to be a day of prayer and fasting for peace for South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Maryknoll Sister Elizabeth “Claris” Zwareva writes about her homeland of Zimbabwe. Sr. Claris serves as Maryknoll’s representative at the United Nations where the Maryknoll Sisters and the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers have consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Christian churches have called for a national dialogue.
Famine and a refugee crisis grow while violent conflict continues.
Fr. Lam Hua, MM, on mission in Tanzania, considers how the Feast of the Assumption celebrates the amazing gift of creation.
Joanne Miya, a Maryknoll lay missioner in Tanzania, reflects on the unlikely prophets in our midst.
Fr. Lance Nadeau, MM, who is on mission on the border of Kenya and Ethiopia, reflects on Peter's encounter with the Gentile Cornelius and the importance of intercultural exchange for peacebuilding today.
Christine Bodewes, a returned Maryknoll lay missioner who served in Kenya, reflects on the virtue of believing without seeing.
Fr. Jonathan Hill, MM, is on mission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Father William Vos, a priest of the Diocese of St. Cloud, MN, was a member of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners, serving in Eastern Africa for 19 years.
Steve Veryser, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Tanzania, considers how the readings for this Sunday give us hope and strength for these challenging times.
Returned Lay Missioner Chris Bodewes reflects on the courage it takes to be a true disciple.
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Mary Oldham Hannemann reflects on the care and compassion she has witnessed in her community in Mombasa, Kenya.
Marj Humphrey, who spent many years as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in East Africa, reflects on the well-known but still challenging Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Maryknoll Sister Teresa Hougnon in Kenya reflects on the transformation that happens when we enter into conversation with our enemies.
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Mike Garr in Kenya reflects on loving one's neighbor.
Maryknoll Father John Barth in Uganda reflects on Jesus' teachings on the framework for Christian living
Dr. Anne Berry, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Tanzania, reflects on the beauty in Tanzania of extending compassion and care beyond typical American cultural norms.
When asked, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus replied: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this,’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mark 12: 29-31).
Africa Faith & Justice Network