Our Dispatches contributors were kind enough to share some thoughts on what stories are likely to be important in 2022 as we cross off, in some relief, the concluding days of 2021.
Indigenous peoples
Posted inInterviews, Politics & Society
Retired Canadian archbishop: ‘We will not regain our credibility’ if the church doesn’t confront Indigenous abuse
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., speaks about the need for the Canadian church to apologize to Indigenous population for its role in abuse at residential schools.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: A story of Indigenous family, trauma and survival
Diane Wilson’s book ‘The Seed Keeper’ is an immersive, affecting account of family and history, trauma and survival, seeds and gardening, stories and healing.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
500 years later, Our Lady of Guadalupe still consoles millions with her message: God has not forgotten us
The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has never dimmed in Latin America and the United States. Her feast day on Dec. 12 provides special comfort two years into the Covid pandemic.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope Francis’ meeting with Indigenous leaders and Canadian bishops postponed due to Omicron variant
The long-planned encounter between Indigenous Canadians and Pope Francis in Rome is being postponed while everybody learns more about the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican Nativity scene to feature Indigenous Peruvian crèche this year
The Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square this year will have a distinctly Indigenous, Andean look to mark the 200th anniversary of Peru’s independence.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis agrees to Canada trip to help reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples
Pope Francis has agreed to visit Canada in the wake of shocking revelations of the Catholic Church’s role in the abuse and deaths of thousands of native children.
Posted inArts & Culture, Television
In ‘Reservation Dogs,’ a gang of Indigenous youth do bad things (but they are not bad people)
Creators Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo deliver a show with impressive emotional range that achieves an honest portrayal of the hardships that many Indigenous communities face.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
A Franciscan sister joins the fight for Indigenous rights in Brazil
In a region of vast distances, weak infrastructure and a relatively small number of priests, religious and laywomen like Sister Laura are the mainstay of Catholic spirituality.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Could Indigenous demonstrations against corruption lead to lasting change in Guatemala?
Guatemala’s historical social inequality has only worsened because of economic deterioration intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic and a political crisis created by President Giammattei’s increasing authoritarian tendencies.