Mali Archives

Mali bishops decry country’s second military coup in nine months

Jun 2, 2021

Catholic bishops in Mali “firmly condemned” a May 24 military coup, the north African country’s second in nine months, and appealed for “constructive dialogue” among the state’s actors.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

Engaging Christian, Muslim youth in Sahel before terrorists do is seen as key

Apr 1, 2021

Getting Muslim and Christian young people together to know each other before terrorist groups can sow divisiveness is seen as key to peace in the Sahel region of western Africa, said panelists during a March 30 online workshop presented by Catholic Relief Services.

By Mark Pattison

Clergy seen as ‘fourth branch of government’ in coup-stressed Mali

Mar 17, 2021

Malians have come to see the African nation’s Islamic clergy as a “fourth branch of government” in a country that has been buffeted by two coups in the past decade, said a professor from the University of Notre Dame who spent two years between the coups surveying Malians’ attitudes on war, peace and politics.

By Mark Pattison

Pope meets with missionary priest freed after two-year captivity

Nov 9, 2020

Pope Francis met with Father Pierluigi Maccalli, a member of the Society of African Missions, who was freed more than two years after he was kidnapped in Niger.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Town rejoices as Italian missionary, other hostages freed in Mali

Oct 9, 2020

The bells of the cathedral in Crema, Italy, pealed for joy in the night when the Italian government announced the release of Father Pierluigi Maccalli and three other hostages being held in Mali.

By Cindy Wooden

Italian priest, French aid worker among hostages released by Islamic militants

Oct 9, 2020

Father Pierluigi Maccalli was one of four hostages released by Islamic militants in Mali on Thursday.

By Baba Ahmed and Angela Charlton

CRS report says poverty, not religious conflict, causes Sahel violence

Oct 3, 2020

The rise in violence in West Africa’s Sahel region is a result of unequal access to wealth rather than clashes of religious beliefs, a new report from Catholic Relief Services said.

By Bronwen Dachs

Catholic expert calls attacks on humanitarian workers ‘affront to humanity’

Aug 30, 2020

It’s been a particularly trying year for humanitarian workers, as they face unprecedented hurdles to assist people in pre-existing crises in 54 countries, plus a further nine which have been catapulted into situations of need by the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Crux Staff