New People Media Centre

09/07/2025

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚 : “𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚,

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), has expressed 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 following the appointment of several African prelates to senior positions in the Roman Curia.

Speaking through an official statement released by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), Cardinal Ambongo described the move by 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐗𝐈𝐕 as “a far-reaching gesture” that affirms Africa’s growing voice in the governance of the universal Church.

The appointments include:

𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞

Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero
Bishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwaichi (Tanzania)
Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa (South Africa)
Bishop Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie (Ethiopia)
Rev. Fr. Stanley Lubungo, Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa

𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka (South Africa)
Bishop Ollo Modeste Kambou (Burkina Faso)
Bishop Wilybard Lagho (Kenya)

“These appointments are a 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 for Africa,” said Cardinal Ambongo. “In a world marked by both great challenges and immense opportunities, your perspectives and pastoral experience will enrich the Church’s mission.”

He noted that while consecrated life is declining in some parts of the North, Africa is experiencing a revival - making African voices essential in matters of inter-religious dialogue and synodality.

These appointments align with the reformist vision of 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐗𝐈𝐕, aimed at fostering a 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚 that reflects the global nature of the Church.

09/07/2025

At least 31 people have died, over 100 others injured, and 532 arrested during this week's anti-government protests across Kenya, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The toll has sparked widespread outrage both locally and internationally.

The protests, which coincided with the annual Saba Saba Day (7th July) - a historic date in Kenya’s pro-democracy journey - were led largely by the youth and Gen Z activists. Demonstrators raised concerns over the high cost of living, corruption, excessive taxation, police brutality, and the need for leadership accountability.

Human rights organizations and the United Nations have condemned the excessive use of force by security agencies.

09/07/2025

07/07/2025

“Let us not judge or insult our youth — let us listen, guide, and trust them.” — Archbishop Anthony Muheria

In this Year of Hope, Bishop Muheria praises the Church’s efforts to open dialogue with young people and urges parents to do the same.

- Listen to your children.
- Celebrate their efforts.
- Give them responsibility.
- Teach them to give, not just receive.

And youth: speak with respect, and your voice will be heard.

📖 Luke 2:42 reminds us that even the Holy Family learned through dialogue.

04/07/2025

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝟐𝟑 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐡𝐚 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

July 3, 2025 — Delegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group are heading back to Doha for renewed peace talks, as international mediators, including the United States and Qatar push for a deal to end the devastating conflict in eastern Congo.

The fighting, which escalated earlier this year, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. M23 now controls more territory than ever before, in a conflict deeply rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Last week, Rwanda and Congo signed a peace accord in Washington, D.C., committing to the implementation of a 2024 deal that includes the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congo within 90 days. The U.S., under President Trump’s administration, is facilitating the process, eyeing a broader agreement that could open the region to significant mining investments.

Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, hopes the final signing dubbed the “Washington Accord” will take place in late July. However, challenges remain.

M23 delegate Benjamin Mbonimpa confirmed the group’s return to the Doha negotiations but criticized Kinshasa for a lack of commitment. The rebels continue to demand the release of imprisoned fighters and the reopening of banks in M23-controlled areas.

The Congolese government also confirmed its participation in the resumed talks.

A recent UN report alleges that Rwanda maintains direct control over M23 operations, an accusation Kigali denies, citing long-standing security concerns about Hutu militias operating in eastern Congo.

Despite tensions, U.S. officials remain hopeful. “We are optimistic,” said Boulos, “because both President Tshisekedi and President Kagame are serious about peace.”

03/07/2025

𝐑𝐭. 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬

The Vice Chair of the Commission for the Youth Apostolate at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Rt. Rev. Peter Kimani, has issued a heartfelt invitation to young people across the Metropolitan See of Nyeri to actively participate in the upcoming Metropolitan Youth Mass, scheduled for Sunday, 6th July 2025, in Embu.

The celebration will bring together youth from the eight dioceses under the Nyeri ecclesiastical province namely : Nyeri, Isiolo, Murang’a, Maralal, Meru, Embu, Marsabit, and Nyahururu.

In his message, Bishop Kimani emphasized the importance of responsible citizenship and spiritual awareness among the youth. He encouraged them to stay informed about current national issues, including the ongoing demonstrations, and to critically reflect on their trust and hope in both state and church institutions.

The bishop further urged the young people to take this occasion as an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God, while also engaging meaningfully with the realities surrounding them.

03/07/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Princess Njuguna, Juan Carlos Barron Escandon, Emuria Ebongon, Steve Kahata, Etaan Awesit, Philip Ogony, Dennis Ouma, Oscar Shivachi, David Oduor, Anncaroline Wainaina, Cosmas K Emerkwa

02/07/2025

"𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝": African Faith Leaders Demand Justice in Agriculture

Brussels, July 1, 2025 – As the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) hold high-level agricultural talks, African faith leaders, farmers, and civil society groups are speaking out with a united voice: protect Africa’s seeds and stop Europe’s toxic exports.

During a powerful event held in Rome on June 26, ahead of the 6th AU–EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference, participants condemned the growing export of banned pesticides from Europe to Africa and the push for restrictive seed laws that threaten smallholder farmers. The event was co-organised by SECAM and partners, including AFSA, ESAFF, and several European civil society organisations.

“Seeds are life,” said Ugandan farmer Hakim Baliraine. “When we lose seeds, we lose sovereignty.” Speakers warned that donor-backed seed laws modelled after UPOV risk criminalising the saving and sharing of traditional seeds, especially by women farmers.

Hon. Françoise Uwumukiza of the East African Legislative Assembly emphasised, “This is not about tradition versus modernity. It’s about justice.”

The second panel exposed the double standards of European policy. “Europe bans toxic pesticides at home, yet exports them to Africa, only to re-import food grown with them,” said Suzy Serneels of Broederlijk Delen. These harmful chemicals have been found in food, water, and human bodies across Africa.

Faith leaders condemned the practice as immoral. “If it’s too dangerous for Europeans, it’s too dangerous for Africans,” declared Fr. Richard Rwiza.

The event concluded with urgent policy demands to end pesticide exports, reform seed laws, and invest in agroecological farming rooted in dignity and life.

“𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬,” Bishop Toha reminded. “𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.”

📸 : CIDSE