Saving Lives in Sudan
When President Omar Al-Bashir ordered the relentless bombing of the citizens of his own country in the Nuba mountains of Sudan, Dr. Tom Catena was on the ground, one doctor serving 700,000 patients. When a ceasefire was agreed to and the bombing stopped, Dr. Tom stayed, to serve the people who have put their faith and their hope in him.
Telling the Story
A college friend of Dr. Tom’s, filmmaker Kenneth A. Carlson navigated armed militia in Sudan to tell the story. Internationally acclaimed and award-winning, The Heart of Nuba, is now available through iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Sony, Xbox and in public libraries via Hoopla. It has raised more than $2.200,000 for medicine, vaccinations, supplies and crucial training of Sudanese staff to support Dr. Tom’s critical, life-saving work.
What now for Sudan?
Omar al-Bashir assumed power in Sudan in 1989 after leading a military coup to overthrow the sitting government. During that time al-Bashir directed the mass killing, rape, and pillage against Black African civilians in Darfur, with the goal of eliminating the Black population. He led a relentless bombing campaign against the citizens of the Nuba mountains, also Black Africans, targeting civilians, killing thousands, and destroying homes, schools, business, crops and more. In 2009, al-Bashir banned all humanitarian aid coming into Sudan, leaving his people starving, sick, dying, and subject to intensifying violence.
He has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on five counts of crimes against humanity (murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape), two counts of war crimes, and three counts of genocide.
Recent News:
America Magazine: Dr. Tom in the Role of Religion in his Work
In a moving first-person article for America Magazine, Dr. Tom Catena talks about his work at Mother of Mercy Hospital, and the role that his religion has played in his decision to stay when others were evacuating, and how he deals with the pain and...
The Heart of Nuba Awarded at Cinema for Peace in Berlin
On Februrary 11 The Heart of Nuba was honored with the Most Valuable Documentary Award at Cinema for Peace in Berlin on February 11. Katrina Carlson performed the film’s song “Bloom” for the audience. As an extra blessing, Dr. Tom was able to join us and...
A Special Message from Dr. Tom Catena
We received a very special Holiday message from Dr. Tom this year, thanking those who have supported The Heart of Nuba and the Mother of Mercy Hospital, and filling us in on plans for the coming year. Click on image to watch. [video_lightbox_vimeo5...
Dr. Tom Catena Receives Doctor of the Year Award
Dr. Tom was just awarded the 2018 Catholic Doctor of the Year award, from the Mission Doctors Association in Los Angeles. "Since 1959, the Mission Doctors Association has trained, sent and supported Catholic doctors and their families who come from across...
The Heart of Nuba on Voice of America
The Voice of America has included three excellent segments on The Heart of Nuba in their international coverage in late October and November. Voice of America provides trusted and objective news and information in 45 languages to a measured weekly audience...
Washington Cathedral Screening of The Heart of Nuba, Oct 20, 2108
A very special screenings of The Heart of Nuba took place on October 20, 2018, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. with guest appearances by Dr. Tom Catena's wife, Nasima, and Director and Producer Kenneth A. Carlson. A Q&A was...
October 20: The Heart of Nuba Screening at Washington Cathedral
Saturday, October 20 the Darfur Interfaith Network's will screen The Heart of Nuba at Washington National Cathedral in D.C. If you live in the area or can be in DC, mark your calendars now. And contact us for details.
Video: Children of Nuba
Some of the young lives saved by Dr. Tom Catena, as he talks of the need for a humanitarian corridor...
News from Sudan:
Report: Oppression by the Government of Sudan and Food Shortages in Blue Nile
As of October 2014, some two million people have been affected by the conflict, with more than 500,000 having been displaced.
Sudan Now a “Partner” of E.U. to Control Migration
The Sudanese government is involved in the same smuggling and trafficking networks it is being paid by the E.U. to contain.
NYT: Sudan Jails Journalists in New Sign of Repression
New York Times: The authorities in Sudan arrested seven journalists as they covered economic protests there this week, including reporters for Reuters and Agence France-Presse, with no word on charges or when they might be released. Press advocates said...
TIME: George Clooney and John Prendergast—An American Lobbying Firm Is Helping Sudan’s Vile Regime
George Clooney and John Prendergast Jul 06, 2017 Clooney and Prendergast are co-founders of The Sentry Earlier this summer, K Street law and lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs inked a contract with the Sudanese government aimed at removing U.S. sanctions on that...