Porto-Novo, Benin | AFP | In his long life, voodoo priest Kpohinto Medji has seen his religion flourish and then go into decline, banned for years by the authorities and pressured by other faiths. Today, the ageing priest with mischievous eyes is somewhat happier. Benin is gearing for its annual voodoo …
Read More »Kenyan priest killed in Cameroon’s anglophone region
Yaoundé, Cameroon | AFP | A Kenyan priest was killed in francophone Cameroon’s volatile English-speaking Southwest region where violence has surged after separatists declared an independent state, church sources told AFP on Thursday. “A Kenyan priest was shot dead in Kembong yesterday,” one source said. “There was no fighting, he …
Read More »Catholic priest shot dead in eastern DR Congo
Goma, DR Congo | AFP | A Catholic priest was found shot dead hours after he said mass in Democratic Republic of Congo’s restive North Kivu province, a member of the church told AFP. “Father Etienne Sengiyumva was killed Sunday by the Mai Mai Nyatura (militia) in Kyahemba where he had …
Read More »Rev. Canon Christine Shimanya: The priest of parliament
Kampala, Uganda | AGNES NANTABA | For the last 15 years, Rev. Canon Christine Shimanya, has been one of the top female clergy in the history of the Anglican Church of Uganda. Aside from being the chaplain of the Parliament of Uganda, Shimanya is the coordinator for prayer and intercession in …
Read More »Italian priest kidnapped in southern Nigeria: Vatican
Rome, Italy | AFP | An Italian priest has been kidnapped by gunmen in southern Nigeria, church officials in both countries have said. Maurizio Pallu was snatched on Thursday in broad daylight by armed men just outside of Benin City, Italian media reports said. “Pope Francis has been informed about …
Read More »Tribal militia kidnap two Catholic priests in DR Congo
Goma, DR Congo | AFP | Tribal militia forces have kidnapped two Roman Catholic priests in the troubled North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said Monday. Kidnappings are frequent in this eastern part of the DRC, related to communal conflict between the Nande and Hunde tribes …
Read More »Catholic Church clarifies on Ugandan priest’s wedding
Archbishop John Baptist Odama has issued a statement explaining the circumstances under which a Ugandan priest was allowed by Pope Francis to get married, and what is expected of him thereafter. Odama said that while Paul Nyahanga recieved dispensation from the obligations of the clerical state, he is expected carry on …
Read More »Vatican blasts Italian priest who blames earthquakes on gay unions
Rome, Italy | AFP | An Italian priest has said the recent earthquakes that have shaken the country, killing hundreds and leaving tens of thousands homeless, were “divine punishment” for gay civil unions, earning the Vatican’s wrath. Father Giovanni Cavalcoli, a theologian known for his hardline views, made the comments …
Read More »You can’t be a priest and produce children
By Joan Akello Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo, the minister of state for Ethics and Integrity, spoke to Joan Akello about missing priesthood. How do you feel after the law you celebrated early this year was nullified? I was devastated. Patricia Mutesi, the principle state attorney, called to console me because …
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