Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito highlighted the challenges facing migrant children returning to Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho after protests in South Africa. Speaking in Pretoria, he noted that repatriated students must restart their education in new languages and systems. The SACBC meeting in South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini reported separated families and school absenteeism. While some dioceses raise funds for supplies, Bishop Kizito stated that returning families lack resources. Additionally, South Africa’s Home Affairs Department ordered immediate asylum acceptance following a Constitutional Court ruling that deemed previous administrative barriers unconstitutional.
Translated from Português
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ed Wingate on UnsplashPersecuted church
Catholic bishops from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have expressed solidarity with Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda following his arrest and court appearances. The Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, along with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference, urged Zambian authorities to ensure a fair and transparent legal process. They emphasized respect for human dignity and called for calm among the public. The bishops noted Banda pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Other figures, including politician Given Chansa, questioned the public interest in prosecuting the clergyman over a gifted vehicle. The case remains active in the Lusaka courts.
Father Ángel Becerril Fernández, originally from Cozuelos de Ojeda in Spain, has been recognized by Pontifical Works for his 60 years of missionary service in Zimbabwe and Thailand. He arrived in Zimbabwe in 1964 when it was still Rhodesia, learning the Shona language to help locals with education despite civil war destruction. In 1991, he moved to Thailand to assist youth with employment. He returned to Palencia in 2024 and received the Beata Paulina Jaricot Award. His experiences are detailed in a book published in 2026. Becerril emphasizes the importance of learning languages to connect with communities and serve the needy effectively across different cultures.
A recent learning brief from Catholic Relief Services highlights the overlooked impact of caregiver disability on early childhood development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a survey across Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, the study found that caregivers with disabilities engage in fewer nurturing care behaviors than those without disabilities. Additionally, maternal depression rates are higher among disabled caregivers. The report recommends integrating disability considerations into early childhood development research, funding, and program implementation to promote equity for vulnerable families in the region.
Christian Aid Zimbabwe is recruiting a consultant to document three 'cases of change' for its Irish Civil Society Partnership programme. The initiative, running from 2023 to 2027, operates in eight districts including Mutare, Bubi, and Goromonzi. The selected expert must analyze evidence regarding peacebuilding, governance, and climate resilience. Proposals are due by November 3, 2026, for a budget of €10,000. The consultant will conduct field research and facilitate workshops to finalize reports by December 31, 2026. This work aims to highlight systemic shifts in civil society engagement across Zimbabwe.
A major Bible app reported a significant surge in daily usage across several African nations during 2026, outpacing global trends. Sub-Saharan Africa saw substantial increases, with multiple countries recording notable rises. The ministry attributes this growth to users seeking spiritual comfort for emotional concerns. The organization is expanding its regional presence, establishing hubs in key cities and planning further expansion to provide culturally relevant content through local partnerships. This digital engagement aims to support believers across the continent by offering accessible religious resources tailored to local contexts, fostering deeper spiritual connection despite varying regional challenges.
Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito highlighted the challenges facing migrant children returning to Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho after protests in South Africa. Speaking in Pretoria, he noted that repatriated students must restart their education in new languages and systems. The SACBC meeting in South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini reported separated families and school absenteeism. While some dioceses raise funds for supplies, Bishop Kizito stated that returning families lack resources. Additionally, South Africa’s Home Affairs Department ordered immediate asylum acceptance following a Constitutional Court ruling that deemed previous administrative barriers unconstitutional.
Young Catholics across East Africa are transforming Pope Francis’s environmental teachings into active climate advocacy. In Kenya, a local leader drives tree planting and clean-ups through faith-based initiatives, emphasizing that caring for creation is a year-round religious duty. Similar efforts exist in Tanzania, where a young advocate plants thousands of trees, and Ethiopia, with another focusing on health impacts. Regional church leaders recently met in a major city to address youth concerns about climate change. Leaders state that involving young people in church leadership drives concrete environmental results, though funding and education remain challenges.
The ACT Alliance has approved USD 49,999 through its Rapid Response Fund to assist Zimbabwean nationals returning from South Africa. According to the outlet, recent developments in South Africa have led to increased arrivals of returnees who often lack resources or documentation. The four-month project, implemented by the Ecumenical Church Leaders Forum, targets up to 2,600 individuals. Aid will be distributed via the Beitbridge Reception Centre and the Njube Centre Transit Hub in Bulawayo. Services include temporary accommodation, food, water, psychosocial support, and protection referrals. Special attention is given to vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities to ensure dignified reintegration.
Over 20,000 Zimbabweans have returned from South Africa following xenophobic violence and threats by vigilante groups demanding foreigners leave by June 30, 2026. Many arrived at the Beitbridge border post with few resources, facing hunger and unsafe conditions due to a lack of government support for accommodation, food, or transport. The situation is worsened by Malawian refugees also entering Zimbabwe. The Ecumenical Church Leaders Forum of Zimbabwe states it is prepared to assist with reception and reintegration in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province to address protection concerns and destitution risks among the returnees.
Msgr. Marco Formica, the Holy See’s representative to the UN, addressed the 2026 high-level meeting in New York on July 10. He noted that new HIV infections have dropped significantly since 2010, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, he warned that children remain highly vulnerable due to gaps in diagnosis and treatment. UNAIDS data shows 1.3 million children are living with HIV, accounting for a disproportionate share of deaths. Formica urged better care for pregnant women and improved healthcare systems in developing nations, citing Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on human dignity.
Irish Carmelite friars are celebrating eight decades of service in Zimbabwe with a new documentary titled “Carmelite Friars In Zimbabwe.” The film traces their mission back to 1946, highlighting contributions to education, healthcare, and community development in rural areas. Fr James Eivers, prior of the Dublin Carmelite Priory, noted the success of these early efforts. The long-standing partnership has led to Zimbabwean friars ministering in Ireland, enriching both nations. The documentary serves as a testament to the enduring faith and generosity that have sustained these communities since the 1940s.
The ACT Alliance’s Locally Led Climate Fund has completed three years of operations across several African nations. Since 2023, the initiative has channeled approximately USD 600,000 directly to community-led forums, bypassing large bureaucratic structures. According to the outlet, the fund supports local governance, water access, and climate-resilient agriculture. Key achievements include training climate champions in one country, developing local action plans in another, and improving water infrastructure in others. The program emphasizes that communities closest to the crisis are best positioned to lead adaptation efforts, with steering committees comprising local partners and international donors making joint decisions on priorities.
Henry Dueck, a missionary emeritus with the International Mission Board, died on March 23, 2026, at the age of 90. Born in Canada, he served in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya, and South Africa for nearly two decades after being appointed in 1984. His ministry began after a teaching stint in Nairobi sparked his desire for missionary work. He is survived by his wife, Ila-Mae. The IMB announced his passing, highlighting his decades of gospel sharing across these African nations.
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
