April 1, 2020
Posted by ICTC on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 12:50 PM PDT
Sign of the Times
Around the world, Catholics are responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Here's a highlight of stories from the past week:
- Pope Francis delivered an Urbi et Orbi blessing on March 27 while praying for an end of the coronavirus, you can read the transcript here. Before the blessing, the Pope emphasized that COVID-19 is not God's judgement, but a call to live differently. Then on March 29, Pope Francis joined the call for a global ceasefire amid the coronavirus pandemic, stressing the need for constructive dialogue in the search for peace.
- Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Arturo Sosa, delivered a beautiful message on discerning our way in the midst of the coronavirus. Father Sosa asks us to remember that each person--including the elderly and the sick--has infinite dignity, and the need to care for the common good of all humanity. Watch his Youtube message “COVID-19: Discerning a path to God.”
- On March 24, in the midst of the worldwide COVID-19 crisis, we commemorated the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Monsignor Óscar Romero. Given the magnitude of the current health and humanitarian crises, activists and human rights defenders throughout the continent are being forced to find alternative ways to commemorate these historical moments. Read the story from the School of the Americas
- Georgetown University'sInitiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life hosted a virtual dialogue Catholic Social Thought and the Coronavirus Crisis: Moral Principles for Terrible Times (recording available).
- "Catholic leaders across the globe are pleading that migrants and refugees not be forgottenduring the Covid-19 pandemic, insisting that it’s a public health issue affecting everyone - regardless of one’s legal status" - Read more on Crux's website. Many organizations continue their work to ensure the most vulnerable among us are not forgotten in this crisis, and they need our help. The Ignatian Solidarity Network is working to support health and safety for all at our border, after the announcement that access to asylum will be limited for people arriving at the southern border. Jesuit Refugee Services and NETWORK Advocates for Justice both have responses, updates and action steps on their sites as well.