Press Releases & Statements
- Press Statement: The African Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 5 Jan, 2023 - Washington, DC - Today, the world celebrated the Funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square Rome. Over 200,000 visitors paid their respects to the late Pope Emeritus, who was a strong voice for Africa during his papacy and a true leader putting those he served above his title when he chose to step down from being Pope. During his Pontificate he convened the Second Synodal Assembly for Africa, he published Jesus of Nazareth which drew media attention for its mentions of Africa, and his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus which criticized the exploitation of Africa's resources and stressed the Church’s commitment to service, reconciliation, justice and peace for society and that it is the family that propagates the “culture of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation” (#43).
- Nigeria Press Release – Violence in our Homes: A Call to Urgent Action 14 Dec, 2022 - In response to this growing incidence of violence in our homes, the injustice against house helpers, and the violations of the rights of children, Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), and Dominicans for Justice and Peace (DJP) in collaboration with representatives of various religious congregations of sisters, Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON),and several non-profit organizations gathered from December 10–14, 2022, at the Daughters of Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre (DRACC) Enugu to learn, analyze, and reflect on this troubling issue under the theme: Violence in Our Homes: Tackling the Rising Incidence of Spousal Murders, and Abuse of Domestic Servants
- Cardinal Baawobr’s Passing Reverberates Throughout Africa and World 28 Nov, 2022 - Washington, DC - Today Vatican News announced the passing of Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr on November 27, 2022 in Rome. Cardinal Baawobr, bishop of Wa Ghana, and a member of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) was created cardinal on August 27th this year. In July he was elected President of The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa, and Madagascar. As Superior General of the White Fathers in Rome, Rev. Baawobr, expressed strong support for the mission of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), an organization which MAfr helped found in 1983. AFJN also had the honor of having Rev. Baawobr, MAfr, offer his reflections on ministry and deliver the keynote address on behalf of Cardinal Peter Turkson in 2013 for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of AFJN.
- PR: AFJN Announces New Board Leadership 27 Oct, 2022 - The Africa Faith and Justice Network’s (AFJN) Board of Directors has elected a new Executive and welcomed a new member.
- Press Statement: Organizations Tell Congress to Support the Amended ENABLERS Act 10 Aug, 2022 - Yesterday, the Africa Faith and Justice Network along with over twenty faith and nongovernmental organizations sent a letter to Congressional Leadership in support of the amended Establishing New Authorities for Businesses Laundering and Enabling Risks to Security (ENABLERS) Act. If passed, this Act “would help put an end to [enabling] practices by requiring [...] professional services to adopt AML procedures that can help detect, flag, and prevent the laundering of corrupt and other criminal funds into the United States” among other benefits, notes the letter.
- Press Release: The Africa Faith and Justice Network Urges Frank Discussions Ahead of Secretary Blinken’s Visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo 9 Aug, 2022 - Washington, DC - The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), a Catholic 501(c)3 organization, sent a letter to US Secretary of State, Antony John Blinken, ahead of his visit to Africa where Secretary Blinken is expected to make a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. In the letter, AFJN urged Secretary Blinken to hold frank discussions on “Rwanda’s violations of DRC’s territorial integrity, bad governance in the DRC”, and the role of the UN peacekeepers in DRC.
- Press Statement on Owo town, Nigeria Church Massacre 6 Jun, 2022 - Washington, DC - On June 5, 2022, Pentecost Sunday, gunmen armed with explosives opened fire in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo town killing at least 50 people and wounding many more. Ondo State is largely known as one of the more peaceful states in Nigeria. In response to the massacre, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo’s Directorate of Social Communications issued a press release calling for “peace and normalcy to return.”
- Press Release and Communique: A Call to Join Hands to Tackle Drug Abuse, Ritual Killings, and Cultism in Nigeria and Fashion a Better Future with Our Youths 19 May, 2022 - For Immediate ReleaseMay 19, 2022Contact 1: Sr. Bernadette Okure, SHCJ National CoordinatorContact 2: Sr. Fidelia Aloa, Secretary Press Release: A Call to Join Hands to Tackle Drug Abuse, Ritual Killings, and Cultism in Nigeria and Fashion a Better Future with Our Youths In response to the growing concern in the society over the rising incidence […]
- Press Release: The Africa Faith and Justice Network Welcomes Dr. Steven Nabieu Rogers as the New Executive Director 16 May, 2022 - “Dr. Rogers comes highly recommended and has a breadth of knowledge and experiences that will serve him well in his new leadership role. I believe his grasp of the realities of what is happening in Africa and his vision will set AFJN up for a solid future.”
- Press Statement: AFJN Calls Nations to Ensure Equal Treatment of Refugees Fleeing Ukraine, Including Africans 2 Mar, 2022 - AFJN Calls Nations to Ensure Equal Treatment of Refugees Fleeing Ukraine, Including Africans