The “social distancing” required by the coronavirus is making it more difficult to provide essential services to migrants and asylum seekers stranded at the U.S.-Mexico border, writes J.D. Long-García.
Coronavirus
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
In Canada, Justin Trudeau marshals a federal response to coronavirus
Among the emergency provisions are increases to family benefits, a six-month interest-free pause on student loans and a biweekly payment of $900 for sick or laid-off workers without employment insurance or sick leave.
Posted inFaith, News
Shrines close across Europe following coronavirus directives
In France, the northern sanctuary of Lisieux, burial place of the St. Therese and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, closed its doors to pilgrims March 17, complying with a 14-day government curfew on all nonessential movement.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis authorizes plenary indulgences and general absolution as coronavirus crisis escalates
The decree states that the faithful can gain this plenary indulgence in a variety of ways while the pandemic lasts, such as by praying before the Blessed Sacrament, making Eucharistic Adoration or reading the Sacred Scriptures for a half an hour or more.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
A coronavirus wake-up call in London as doors close all over town, churches included
In London, Cardinal Vincent Nichols has asked the faithful to “dig deep into our traditions and our resources to make sure that our prayer maintains a eucharistic heart and a eucharistic center,” citing a tradition, little engaged in recent times, of “spiritual communion.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catholic Health Association joins call for ramp-up of Covid-19 response
C.H.A. and the other organizations emphasized the need to increase medical capacity and testing, enhance the national supply of critical medical equipment, protect front-line care providers and technicians and improve coordination in treating patients.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Parents share ideas on how to make sudden onset of home schooling work
Longtime home-schoolers told Catholic News Service the current moment gives parents the chance to spend more one-on-one time with their children while teaching skills and creating memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican issues decree for Holy Week liturgies with pandemic restrictions
The decree was signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the congregation, and by Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
We need more than tax cuts and zero interest rates to fight a coronavirus recession
The federal government has the tools to stabilize the economy in the wake of coronavirus, writes the economist Paul D. McNelis, S.J. We cannot settle for delayed and piecemeal responses.
Posted inJesuitical, Politics & Society
Podcast: Catholic health care during the coronavirus pandemic
We aren’t even close to overreacting; we need to support our medical professionals; it’s normal to be afraid, but we don’t need to be conquered by our fear.