Pastors in Zimbabwe fear a fast-spreading cholera outbreak could sink what remains of precarious church earnings as authorities mull worship restrictions and some congregants are staying away from services for fear of contagion. “It never rains,” said Pastor Josia Jagidhi,…
In South Africa, fire deaths shine a light on immigrant churches in ‘hijacked’ slum buildings”
Seventy-six people burned to death when a horrific fire tore through an illegally “hijacked” slum building in Johannesburg, South Africa’s, inner city. That many of the deceased and injured are undocumented African foreigners living on South African’s margins has shone…
In South Africa, a solar boom lights up forgotten rural churches
South Africa is home to Africa’s largest drive for solar and renewable energy, allowing rural churches — which were forgotten in electrification of the last two decades — to finally light up on the cheap. “It’s the first time to…
South Africa’s matchmaking churches wildly popular, hope to stem gender violence
More than 6,000-worshippers from all over South Africa and nearby countries have gathered at Apostle Joshua Mohlala’s Shekinah Healing Ministries church premises in Cape Town, not for a spiritual service but to find partners. The best-known matchmaking church in South…
Why Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church clash is a danger sign for the war-weary nation
Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christian Church is locked in a bitter feud with the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the former Nobel Prize winner turned war-man. The church claims state interference in its affairs. It threatens mass defiance, and thus a…
Zimbabwean pastors flee ministry to join more lucrative care work in the UK
Zimbabwe is blighted by a fearsome 240% inflation rate, one of the world’s highest. The nation’s pastors, although dedicated to the calling of Christ’s work, are struggling to eat or pay bills just like their impoverished congregants. “We can’t dance…
Occupation of historic Ottawa church tied to Canada’s Christian Right
Until late September, William Komer and his United People of Canada fringe grouping (known as TUPOC) vowed not to vacate St. Brigid, a historic deconsecrated church in Canada’s capital. Residents fumed that the type of crowds Komer’s group attracted hints…
In a three-way scheme, hustlers sell Netflix access to the faithful in Zimbabwe using American bank cards and government office Wi-Fi
Netflix is angry about account sharing, seeing the practice as an unfair, under-the-table raid of its revenue. But in devout, fiercely Pentecostal Zimbabwe — where joblessness is deep and inflation is, according to John Hopkins University, at a frightening 487%…
Filmmaker searches for vanished Black graves in Canadian cemetery
James Russell is dismayed by an apparent lack of commitment to preserve Black grave sites in Canada. He’s so disturbed, he has taken it upon himself to secure their dignity. ‘What bothers me is this ground has no markers on…
In South Africa, an unholy trinity — televangelists, TV stations and cellular companies
In South Africa, free analog-broadcast community television stations whose programming caters to low-income majority Black townships are broke. To keep the lights on, they take advertising money from startup Pentecostal pastors who promise bewildering “miracles” and changes of fortune for…
Facing increased attacks, Canada’s Muslim women take up self-defense classes
Canada’s Muslim community reels in the aftermath of a recent deadly scene. On June 6, a white male allegedly drove a truck up the curb in London City, Ontario, and mowed down four family members of a Muslim family that…
Canada labels Uyghur repression ‘genocide,’ but that’s not as exemplary as you might think
This week, Canada’s Parliament voted to label China’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority as “genocide.” This makes Canada the second country in the world after the United States to describe Beijing’s egregious repression as it is. A bit of…