CCBI Resources for COVID-19 Matters – October 2, 2020
Dear Friends of CCBI, Many questions have been raised this week about the federal and…
CCBI Resources for COVID-19 Matters – June 11, 2020
Dear Friends of CCBI,
It’s been quite a week! Global demonstrations about “Black Lives Matter” have overtaken news about the pandemic, and rightly so. There have been massive protests in countless cities all over the world, signalling that racial injustice has reached its limits and people are demanding it must cease. There have been countless symbolic acts in many countries, destroying or removing statues of prominent people who made fortunes from the slave trade, sometimes dramatically throwing the statues into the river. People are demanding the removal of compromised names from university and political buildings, squares, parks and streets. We may not all agree on the methods used, sometimes akin to vandalism, but the image of Moses in the desert comes to mind, and mostly these protestors echo his anger and despair when his followers lost faith in him, creating and worshipping false idols. Correctives are needed. We know from the Gospels that Jesus Christ commanded us to go out into the world and bring about His Kingdom, a reign of justice and peace.
Our world, our nation, still lack basic equality. The pandemic has shown this time after time, especially regarding our neglect of our elderly citizens. The killing of George Floyd has thrown systemic racism into the spotlight in a way that ensures there will be no turning back. Recently I re-watched the movie “Selma,” concerning Dr Martin Luther King’s non-violent activism against racism, and it struck me how little progress there has been since the 1960’s! That movie could be made today and, to our shame, still be accurate. Where have we been?
This week we include the Pope’s prayerful intentions for the month of June. Parts of Canada are opening up at different rates, depending on circumstances and whether the numbers of those infected with COVID-19 decrease or continue to do so. Ontario and Quebec are still at serious risk, especially in urban areas, and one of our articles warns of a second wave, which should give us pause and reinforce our efforts to protect our elderly, especially those in care.
There has been some improvement in long term care homes over the past few weeks after their subjection to intense public scrutiny and after being given extra helpers in the form of members of the armed forces. New staffing arrangements and organization of space take time and systems do not tend to change quickly, so ongoing help, volunteer workers and more supervision are still needed.
In Ontario and Quebec, the news of an increase of infection in younger people is disheartening. They were thought to be less likely to succumb to the virus, but apparently this is not the case. It’s not clear why this is so, although being back in the workforce and resumption of social life in public places could be contributing. Warm weather makes it difficult for people to remain isolated, and even participation in protests could have provided opportunity for this virus to spread. The article is a serious warning that we are not yet out of the woods.
Rather depressing, but unfortunately all too real, is the slew of problems exacerbated by COVID-19. Racial disparities have become even more obvious, and, less obviously but just as disturbing, mental health issues and increasing demands for euthanasia are on the rise. We have included articles about all three, recognizing that each issue demands much more spiritual reflection and prayer as well as socio-political action. We should recall the words of Pope Paul VI in his World Day of Peace message in 1972: “If you want peace, work for justice!”
We end with an acknowledgment of the symbolism of ‘taking a knee’ to end racial injustice and restore equality, demonstrated by a Catholic bishop in the US, the first to do so publicly.
Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in thee!
Warm regards,
Moira McQueen, LLB, MDiv, PhD
Executive Director, Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute
Lecturer, Faculty of Theology
University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto
Pope Francis
COVID-19 and Young Adults
Mental Health
COVID-19 and Racial Disparities
Expanding Euthanasia during the Pandemic
Bishop Takes a Knee
| After ‘taking a knee,’ border bishop gets call from the pope By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — It’s called “taking a knee,” and many professional athletes around the country have made the gesture publicly to protest police brutality. Lately, even police officers showing solidarity have kneeled around the country before those protesting the May 25 killing of George Floyd, who died after being filmed […] www.hawaiicatholicherald.com |