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Just as Nigerians were beginning to see the tide start to turn against Boko Haram militants, a relatively new menace has arisen. Nigeria now has to grapple with the increase in violent clashes blamed on Fulani herdsmen. Communities in Nigeria, particularly those in the North Central and Southern states of Nigeria are coming under constant attacks.On 25 April this year, suspected Fulani herdsmen launched perhaps one of their deadliest attacks ever in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. They attacked seven villages of Nimbo Ngwoko, Ugwuijoro, Ekwuru, Ebor, Enugu Nimbo, Umuome and Ugwuachara. Several houses, Churches, vehicles and animals were destroyed. The number of those killed varies. Local media spoke of a bloodbath in which 60 persons were killed. Others put the figure at 150 persons. Since then attacks, though not a similar scale, have continued on a regular basis.A few days ago, on 26 September, suspected Fulani herdsmen were said to have been behind the kidnap of...
Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo Saturday issued a communique clarifying reasons for suspending their participation in the ongoing national dialogue. Last week, the Catholic Bishops withdrew from the national dialogue after clashes that started on 20 September lead to deaths in the capital Kinshasa. According to a Conférence Episcopale Nationale du Congo (CENCO) statement, the Bishops want broader participation and conditions that are more inclusive before they can rejoin the dialogue.“The bishops continue to support this dialogue, but wish that all parties, including minorities, are represented,” read the statement circulated to the French Africa Service of Vatican Radio.The Bishops’ statement came on the same day as the AP news agency quoted Congo's electoral commission President saying a national election, originally scheduled for November this year, was now likely to take place at the end of 2018, a two-year delay. T...
(Vatican Radio) After having celebrated Mass on Sunday morning upon his arrival in Azerbaijan, Pope Francis schedule foresees a meeting with the nation’s President, Ilham Heydar Aliyev in the Presidential Palace of Baku.Here, he receives the full Guard of Honor salute which is reserved for visiting dignitaries during the official Welcome Ceremony.As per protocol, Pope Francis and President Aliyev then met for a private meeting which takes place behind closed doors.President Ilham Aliyev, the fourth President of Azerbaijan, has been in office since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee. Ilham Aliyev is the son of Heydar Aliyev, who was President of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003. Pope Francis has many engagements on this final day of his 16th Apostolic Journey which has taken him to Georgia and to Azerbaijan. After meeting with the President, he will pay a visit to the Baku Monument for the Victi...
(Vatican Radio) The joyful witness of Azerbaijan’s small Catholic community, which has “accomplished wonders” even after years of persecution, was at the centre of Pope Francis’ address at Baku’s Salesian centre, where he celebrated Sunday Mass as part of his day-long pastoral visit to the nation.Listen to Ann Schneible’s report: “In this Eucharistic celebration I have given thanks to God with you, and also for you,” Pope Francis said during his Angelus address at the conclusion of Sunday’s Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.“Here,” he said, “the faith, after the years of persecution, has accomplished wonders.” The Pope recalled “the many courageous Christians who trusted in the Lord and were faithful in the face of adversity.”The Holy Father encouraged the Azerbaijan Catholics in their joyful witness “to faith, hope and love, united among (themselves) and with (their)...
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- Hungarians were voting Sunday in a referendum called by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government to seek support for its opposition to any future, mandatory European Union quotas for accepting relocated asylum seekers....
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- The guns have been silenced, the agreement signed and a historic handshake between former enemies made in front of the entire world. Now it's time for Colombians to decide whether or not to support a peace deal with the country's largest rebel movement....
LONDON (AP) -- U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said Sunday that Britain would trigger the formal process for leaving the European Union before April, putting to rest weeks of speculation on the timing of the move....
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) -- Pope Francis traveled to Azerbaijan on Sunday for a 10-hour visit aimed at encouraging the country's inter-religious harmony while likely overlooking criticism of a referendum that extends the president's term and powers....
(Vatican Radio) On Sunday morning Pope Francis leaves the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and flies east, headed for Baku, the Azerbaijani capital and largest city on the Caspian Sea.There he will meet with Sheik Allashukur Pashazade, head of the majority Muslim community which makes up around 85% percent of the rapidly developing nation. He’ll take part in an interreligious encounter with leaders of all the faith groups, but he’ll also celebrate Mass at the only Catholic parish in the country, which serves the few hundred local and foreign members of this tiny community.Pope John Paul II set up the mission in Baku, run by Salesian priests and supported by sisters of Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity, just ahead of his own historic pastoral visit to the former Soviet nation in 2002.As head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Cardinal Fernando Filoni looks after this tiny Catholic community today. He talked to Philippa Hi...
(Vatican Radio) On Sunday morning, Pope Francis concluded his two-day visit to Georgia before making his way to Azerbaijan, the last stop on his journey to the Caucasus nations.The Pope departed by air from Georgia’s Tbilisi international airport at around 8:00 local time following a departure ceremony, thus wrapping up his two day visit to the nation.The papal plane then landed in Baku’s Heydar Aliyev international airport shortly before 9:30 in the morning local time. Upon landing, the Holy Father was greeted by the first deputy prime minister of Azerbaijan, Yaqub Eyyubov, as well as other authorities.The main event of Pope Francis’ visit to Azerbaijan is the celebration of Mass at the Church of the Immaculate, the Salesian center of Baku, followed by lunch with the Salesian community.Other events include a courtesy visit to the president of the republic, Ilham Heydar, and a meeting with authorities at the Heydar Aliyev Centre.The visit also includes a pri...
