The New Zealand Catholic Bishops met last Friday to discuss how COVID-19 Level 1 was working in their respective dioceses. They noted there were differences between some dioceses and even between some churches – for example, some churches allowed Communion from the Chalice, others did not. So they decided there was no need to issue Read more
Americans must move past the health-wealth dichotomy that dominates public debate about how to manage the current pandemic to find a way forward, said a panel of Catholic scholars during a webinar June 2. “Either you want to kill Grandma or you want to destroy the economy and leave millions of people unemployed, and people Read more
A priest felt pressured into holding a wedding at his Welsh Catholic church during the coronavirus lockdown. Father Sebastian Jones performed the ceremony on May 12, after the parents ‘insisted that it take place immediately’. Wedding ceremonies and christenings were banned in Wales when lockdown began on March 23. The Archbishop of Cardiff George Stack Read more
The St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Society, this week, launched a National Recovery Appeal to help the increasing numbers of individuals and families struggling from the impact of Covid-19. The Appeal will run until December. The goal is to raise $4 million to provide people with economic, social and emotional support during these times of Read more
Pope Francis has set up a new fund – the “Jesus the Divine Worker Fund” – to help families and individuals in the Rome diocese who have lost their livelihood because of the economic crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic. Many here are struggling to survive, especially workers in the gig economy and the families Read more
The Catholic Church in England and Wales has received a 1 million pound ($1.3 million) donation to fight poverty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The money was donated by the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, founded by the late billionaire businessman Albert Gubay, who made a pact with God in his youth that if he became Read more
Michael and Kelsey Petrany can hardly believe that two months ago they were worried about centrepieces. The restrictions of the pandemic made so many of their initial wedding plans impossible, including the presence of their parents, guests, and a reception. The couple decided they wanted to go through with it anyways. And they are glad Read more
Priests may be feeling non-essential as quarantine restrictions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) have distanced them from their parish communities. Many churches have had to close or limit their activity in recent months and priests are struggling to support or even engage with their community, a psychologist says. Dr. Christina Lynch Read more
Throughout Australia and New Zealand, Sanitarium Health Food Company has donated, so far in 2020, more than AU$1 million (about US$700,000) worth of food to help individuals and communities in need. Sanitarium in New Zealand is extending community support, including a new partnership with Kiwi Harvest. In early April, the first of 90 pallets of Read more
The Vatican said Saturday the city state no longer has any active positive cases among employees, after a 12th person had tested positive in early May. According to the director of the Holy See press office, Matteo Bruni, as of June 6 there are no longer any coronavirus cases among Vatican and Holy See employees. Read more