We are in the midst of a global health crisis that already has inflicted a significant humanitarian and economic toll on the United States. For now, we must try to contain the spread of Covid-19 through physical distancing and face-covering. But we will reach another turning point when a vaccine to prevent the disease has Read more
While religious leaders play a vital part in conveying messages of peace, solidarity and harmony, a prominent Catholic leader in Myanmar has used that important role to decry the hunger and food crisis in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, who advocates for peace, minority rights and economic justice, has Read more
A US diocese cited COVID-19 and the subsequent “precipitous decline in revenue” for halting its participation in an independent compensation program for victims of clerical abuse. The Diocese of Camden, New Jersey released a statement last week saying it “is fast approaching a point where it will not be able to continue to borrow the Read more
A Catholic pastor has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation after writing several articles advising his congregants not to fear the virus. Washington, D.C. health officials told those who attended recent services to quarantine after Monsignor Charles Pope of the Holy Comforter Saint-Cyprian Roman Catholic Church was diagnosed. Pope has been a vocal Read more
A controversial Catholic priest in San Francisco criticized his parishioners for putting ‘safety’ over ‘sanctity’, skipping Mass to ‘avoid the remote possibility of dying from COVID-19 and claimed the news reports about the global virus as ‘largely unreal.’ Father Illo, of the Stars of the Sea Parish, made the remarks on July 26 in a Read more
As Alicia Nava flipped through family photographs the morning of July 25, she said solemnly from behind a floral print mask, “We were taking precautions.” Three weeks before, she was in the hospital battling COVID-19, as were five of her relatives. Three remain hospitalized for the virus, including her father, Adolfo, who has been on Read more
A draft letter signed by Brazilian bishops is causing an uproar in the Brazilian media and church, as it hits out hard at the government. In the letter scheduled to be presented to the executive committee of the bishops’ conference, over 150 bishops accuse the federal government of “inaction and omission” in combating the coronavirus Read more
The incidence of prolonged loneliness for youth increased significantly during the lockdown. For youth aged 15-24 years (General Social Survey) or aged 18-24 years (other surveys), the incidence of prolonged loneliness increased from 5.8% of youth before lockdown to about 20.8% during the lockdown. It fell slightly to 17.0% post-lockdown. These are the findings of Read more
While life for minorities in Pakistan, particularly Christians, is often seen from afar solely as one of ongoing persecution and discrimination, there are exceptions. One of those is the late Sister Ruth Lewis, who spent her life serving the disabled in Karachi. Widely known and highly respected for her work with disabled children, Lewis was Read more
A Catholic convent in Michigan says it lost 13 nuns to coronavirus (COVID-19) in just two months – 12 of them between Good Friday, 10 April and 10 May. The 13th nun initially survived the virus but later died from complications in June. Ranging in age from 69 to 99, women were members of the Read more