May-June 2020

Vol. 45, No. 3

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U.S. Election Brief: Abolish Nuclear Weapons: In a new series of two-page briefs, Faithful Voting and Global Concerns, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns addresses key global issues for voters to consider for the 2020 elections. Inspired by the gospel and Maryknoll missioners’ commitment to stand with vulnerable communities around the world, we urge U.S. citizens to consider these issues and vote to advance the cause of peace, social justice, and the integrity of creation. This is a preview of the first issue

Maryknoll Missioners and the Coronavirus: The Maryknoll Sisters, Fathers and Brothers, and Lay Missioner communities have faced challenges and loss during the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

Coronavirus Jubilee Debt Relief: Religious and secular organizations have launched a global campaign for debt relief for impoverished countries working to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 and a Global Ceasefire: A growing number of world leaders are calling for a global ceasefire to allow war-torn countries to direct attention and resources toward addressing the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

COVID-19 and Global Development: The following is a summary of latest reports and developments at the UN in response to the impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic on global development goals.

World Bank Reforms Passed in COVID-19 Bill: The World Bank adopts reforms to receive funding for COVID-19 related projects. 

Philippines: Free Child Prisoners: Irish Columban missionary Fr. Shay Cullen in the Philippines published the following article on the Preda Foundation website on April 17, 2020.

COVID-19 Impacts East Africa:  Maryknoll Lay Missioner Susan Nagele, who worked as a medical doctor in East Africa for 33 years, analyzes the region's response to the pandemic and shares updates from Maryknoll Missioners. 

Protecting Asylum Seekers During COVID-19: Already a vulnerable group, asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border are facing serious additional challenges due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19: Importance of Good Governance: Louis Meuleman, a Belgian member of the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration, names several lessons essential to addressing Covid-19 and other potential pandemics this century. The following is an excerpt of Meuleman’s article published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development on April 7, 2020. 

A Reflection on Water Amidst a Pandemic: Tania Avila Meneses, an indigenous theologian with the Amerindia Network who works at the Maryknoll Mission Center in Cochabamba, Bolivia, wrote the following reflection for World Water Day 2020.       

COVID-19 in Peru: This is an abbreviated English translation of a statement on the effect of the pandemic on rural communities from the Civil Association of Human Rights and the Environment (DHUMA), in Puno, Peru. Sr. Patricia Ryan, MM, is president of DHUMA.

Brazil and the Coronavirus: The Brazilian government has been slow to respond to the coronavirus pandemic on the federal level, but local governments and community organizations are working hard to care for vulnerable people. 

Resources: Find resources on help for refugees during COVID-19, preparation materials for the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si', statements in support of the call for a global ceasefire, and much more. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo available on Flickr, licensed in the Creative Commons (2.0).