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.
Indigenous peoples
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.
Posted inFaith, Politics & Society
Atoning for sins against Indigenous people begins with confronting the past. Red Cloud Indian School is showing the way.
The Jesuits came to Pine Ridge at the invitation of Chief Red Cloud, but the impact of their assimilative efforts, made in conjunction with the United States government, are undeniably still present.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Explainer: Why did the Catholic Church cooperate with the Canadian government’s abuse of Indigenous children?
The discoveries of unmarked burials have left many wondering what motivated Catholics to participate in a colonial system that would be responsible for the loss and violation of thousands of Indigenous children.
Posted inFaith, News
Catholic bishops in Canada apologize ‘unequivocally’ to Indigenous peoples for the suffering at residential schools
The bishops’ apology is the latest expression of remorse from the Canadian arms of the Catholic Church but still falls short of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for the pope himself to apologize in Canada.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
This First Nations New Testament translates the Gospel for Indigenous peoples
Terry Wildman hopes his new Indigenous translation of the New Testament will help Christians and Indigenous peoples read it again in a fresh way.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Catholic activists in Brazil denounce violence and land invasion in Indigenous Amazon territories
The invasion of public land by big landowners and illegal miners at the expense of Indigenous groups and small growers has led to record numbers of violent conflicts in Brazil’s rural and forest areas.
Posted inPodcasts, Politics & Society
Podcast: The Canadian Catholic Church’s role in the colonization and destruction of Indigenous lives
Gloria Purvis and Sam Rocha discuss the legacy of church’s involvement in the residential school system and colonization more broadly.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Arson and vandalism continue at Canadian churches as more Indigenous burial sites are revealed
The latest incident occurred on July 19, when firefighters responded to reports of a fire at 3:30 a.m. at the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Surrey, British Columbia. The church was completely destroyed.
Posted inFaith, News
Bishop denounces ‘Doctrine of Discovery,’ used to justify abuse of Indigenous peoples, and suggests Pope Francis do the same
The Catholic bishop of Syracuse, New York, is speaking out against the Doctrine of Discovery and revealing plans to ask Pope Francis to repudiate theological teachings used for centuries to justify the subjugation of Indigenous peoples.