Zimbabwe: Serious impediments to election process
Though the date has not yet been announced, Zimbabwean voters are expected to go to the polls for parliamentary and presidential elections before August 29.
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.
Articles, alerts, events
Zimbabwean bishops' statement on 2013 election process
The following pastoral letter was published by the Zimbabwean Catholic bishops in March 2013 as the country prepares for a new round of national elections.
Kenya: The voice of the people
The following article was written by Sr. Teresa Hougnon, MM, who lives and works in Kenya, where elections took place on Monday, March 4.
Africa: Drone use increases
Moral and legal questions have been raised about the Obama administration’s use of drones and by concerns that they will soon be used in Africa for targeted assassinations.
Sudan: More than one million under attack
Since June 2011, government forces from Sudan have fought the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-North (SPLM/A-N) in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions.
DRC: The U.S. can and should do more
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the site of the world’s longest-running and most expensive peacekeeping operations, including a UN peacekeeping presence for several years after its independence in 1960 and more recent UN missions starting in the late 1990s. Despite this, an estimated five million people have died in the years since the second regional war began in 1998, and millions more have been forced to flee their homes.
DRC: M23 withdraws but remains nearby
The Rwandan-backed M23 militia withdrew from the eastern area of the DRC on December 1, but, according to Bloomberg news, "the rebels have remained in a ring around the city, within a 20-kilometer (12-mile) neutral zone they had agreed to leave."
Sudan/South Sudan: Step toward peace
The following article, contributed by Marie Dennis, explains how church leaders responded to the September 27 Cooperation Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan; the agreement covers a number of areas of vital importance, including oil, security arrangements, economic affairs, the status of nationals of the other states, a framework for cooperation on central banking, borders, trade, and other matters.
DRC: Violence must end
In early September, faith-based organizations issued a statement citing the “recent surge in violence in eastern Congo with the mutiny and rise of the March 23 movement, or M23,” and their alarm at UN reports revealing Rwanda’s role in supporting and perpetuating violence by orchestrating and bolstering M23 with both military and financial support. The following article was published in the September-October 2012 NewsNotes.
Africa: Concerns about increased militarization
In late June, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined with other colleagues in signing the letter below to the U.S. Senate; it asks the Senate to reconsider the increasingly militarized relationship the U.S. has been fostering with African nations. In the next few weeks we might learn more about the recent resignation of Scott Gration from his position as U.S. ambassador to Kenya; initial analysis points to Gration's preference for a more conciliatory tone led to disagreements with the administration's larger plan for the region.
DRC: Take action to end the conflict
Learn more about the ongoing conflict in the DRC and sign a petition at Change.org to urge Sec. Clinton's response.
Together with Africa: Mavambo Trust gives children a new beginning
In 2002, Maryknoll Sister Kathleen Barbee, who has lived and worked in Africa for many years, and a Redemptorist colleague responded to the profound needs of Zimbabwean children living in poverty and
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Scripture reflections
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 4, 2016
This week's scripture reflection was prepared by Chris Bodewes, who served as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Kenya.
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 26, 2016
In this reflection, Maryknoll Sister Theresa Baldini remembers women she encountered in South Sudan.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 8, 2016
Joanne Miya, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner serving in Tanzania, writes this week's reflection.
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
November 8, 2015
Fr. Wayman Deasy, MM, who served in Tanzania, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
October 4, 2015
Liz Mach, a Maryknoll lay missioner in Tanzania, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
September 6, 2015
The following reflection was prepared by Susan Gunn, and can be found in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
August 23, 2015
Sr. Veronica Schweyen, MM, who served in Tanzania, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
July 5, 2015
Fr. David Schwinghamer, MM currently works with the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; he wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Easter
April 5, 2015
Sr. Rebecca Macugay has spent much of her mission life in east Africa and South Africa
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year B)
March 22, 2015
Sr. Connie Krautkremer has spent much of her mission life in Tanzania. " ... God decides that our hearts will be responsible for holding the law. God decides to forgive and forget our past failures, and we can go on from there."
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
February 8, 2015
Sr. Genie Natividad, MM, who serves in Morogoro, Tanzania, wrote the following reflection.
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
January 25, 2015
Along with her family, Joanne Miya serves with the Maryknoll in Tanzania. Her reflection, published here, is also found in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Baptism of our Lord
January 11, 2015
Fr. John Sivalon, MM, who served in Tanzania, wrote the following reflection. It is also published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Third Sunday of Advent (Year B)
December 14, 2014
The following reflection was prepared by Sr. Patricia Gallogly, who served many years in Tanzania. Her reflection can also be found in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Feast of Christ the King (Year A)
November 23, 2014
Fr. Mike Snyder has served in East Africa for many years.
Africa Faith & Justice Network