Migrants from Haiti, Central America and Venezuela have been caught in the middle of their journeys by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Latin American church is building up its support structure to respond to this emerging crisis.
Humanitarian Aid
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
C.R.S. gears up for global response to coronavirus pandemic
While the Covid-19 pandemic provokes a series of unprecedented measures, other ongoing challenges to human life and dignity—drought, famine, armed conflict and poverty among them—are not offering a time-out from the suffering they inflict.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis establishes emergency fund to combat Covid-19 in mission countries
Africa, Asia, Oceania and parts of Amazonia that “are being tragically impacted by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic” will be supported by the new fund.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
How to build mutual aid that will last after the Coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic is inspiring works of wonder, writes Nathan Schneider, but will volunteers and activists have the energy to keep going after the worst has passed?
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catholic leaders urge Congress to act on escalating coronavirus crisis
Archbishop Coakley asked legislators that special consideration be offered “those most vulnerable: the poor, the elderly, the homeless, those in prison or detention facilities, immigrants and refugees, and those with severe underlying health conditions.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
What the church in Africa is doing to combat coronavirus
The Lenten season has begun, and more Nigerians are likely to attend religious gatherings. To stall a possible outbreak, however, Archbishop Alfred Martins of the Archdiocese of Lagos said contact should be restricted.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
As COVID-19 spreads, Catholic entities worldwide take precautions
Catholic Relief Services, which works in more than 110 countries, is “restricting all but the most mission-critical travel, with contingency operational plans in place should the disease take hold in any of the countries where the organization operates.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Without the philanthropy of billionaires, the poor would suffer more and for longer
Wealthy philanthropists are not enemies of democracy, writes Joseph J. Dunn. They can identify and respond to problems long before government can act.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
T.P.S. was meant to protect immigrants from global danger zones. Now thousands may face deportation
The Department of Homeland Security chose not to redesignate Somalia as a T.P.S.-eligible state, a move sought by advocates. Jill Marie Bussey, advocacy director for Clinic, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, called that decision “senseless and cruel.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Bushfires are a call to action, prayer and reflection in Australia
The nation’s Catholics have started to reflect on their long-term responsibilities in the face of this unprecedented environmental catastrophe.