In a draft of a letter to be presented to the executive committee of the bishops’ conference, more than 150 bishops accuse the federal government of “inaction and omission” in combating the coronavirus pandemic and of “inability and incapacity” to face the crisis.
Coronavirus
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Child prostitution in Zimbabwe spikes amid two other crises: Covid-19 and hunger
There are more young girls selling their bodies as Zimbabwe’s economic difficulties continue, in a broad collapse now exacerbated by the pandemic. The city is experiencing a spike in social vices like child prostitution and domestic violence.
Posted inFaith, News
‘Stop ignoring faith communities’: Cardinal Lacroix on Quebec’s coronavirus response
Cardinal Lacroix explained that he decided to speak out because, as the government slowly seeks to reopen society following coronavirus lockdowns, “millions of believers from the different faith communities in the province of Quebec feel betrayed, ignored, by the authorities.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Covid-19 changes campus classes, dining halls, dorms, and sometimes, fees
As the nation continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, university life is cautiously stepping back into the fray of bringing students, faculty and staff members back together under extreme restrictions.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Latin American church finances devastated by Covid-19
National churches that face the most difficulties are in those countries that already had serious economic problems before the pandemic started.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Supreme Court upholds Nevada limits on congregation sizes in pandemic
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld Nevada’s limits on congregation sizes, denying a request by a Nevada church for permission to have larger gatherings that are currently permitted in the state’s casinos, restaurants and other businesses.
Posted inGoodNews, Politics & Society
Guatemala teacher pedals classroom to students during coronavirus pandemic
A teacher in Guatemala relies on his bicycle to be his transportation and his classroom. Each day he pedals among the cornfields of Santa Cruz del Quiché to give individual instruction to his sixth-grade students.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Hunger high on list of battles that aid agency CRS faces amid pandemic
A July 13 report from the United Nations said almost 690 million people went hungry in 2019, an increase of 10 million from the previous year—figures arrived at before the pandemic began.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Fauci calls Covid-19 a ‘pandemic of historic proportion,’ like 1918’s flu
In recent weeks a majority of states have gradually opened up, but the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 are now spiking around the country, sparking controversy about how to handle the pandemic.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis welcomes eastern Ukraine cease-fire, also urges care for the elderly
After reciting the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, the pope praised a cease-fire accord in Ukraine and asked young people not to leave the elderly “by themselves” during the pandemic.