This is a story of fr. Jacek Gniadek SVD and Liu, a Chinese migrant, during the coronavirus lockdown in Poland. I translated this story from Polish to English. Originally he wrote it for our Polish SVD magazine “Komunikaty”. Touching, unbelievable and a true story that happened recently.
COVID -19 has shaken the whole world miserably with great pain and sorrow by creating massive disaster. Today the entire universe is entangled under the powerful grip of the corona virus and India is not an exception to this awful situation. At this juncture, our country is also tremendously experiencing the most dreadful storm of this corona crisis and fighting hard to come out of this most strenuous and stressful situation. In the process the social distancing was introduced to prevent the corona infection and the so called ‘lock down’ was imposed on the people severely which has created immense damage and a huge disaster in the lives of the common people especially on the migrants, domestic labourers, rag pickers, daily wagers and the ongoing construction workers.
On the past 2nd of October, West Papua Network in Rome, in which the SVD is a member, organized the seminar “West Papua, a neglected heaven —justice and human rights based on the Gospel value-” at Augustinianum in Rome. The main purpose of the seminar was to address the issue of human rights violation of indigenous West Papuan people. The local Catholic church of the five dioceses in West Papua and some religious congregations working in West Papua recently published the three-year human rights report, and the English translation was launched during the seminar.
Team spirit and solidarity during the pandemic time. Watch the video, please.
Please watch the video
All whole world is suffering now with the covid-19 pandemic. In Hungary since the 16th of march, the governement has decided to stop all activities: kindergardens, schools and universities. Similarly, the bishops conference also decided to take some measures according to the prohibitions taken by the autorities for example having the holy masses without the congregation. The priest can celebrate mass but in private etc.
Between November 20 and 23 of the current year, the Social Week and the 5th Peace Walk were held in the Santa María neighborhood of the city of Aracaju / SE, Brazil. This walk was the fifth one made in the neighborhood, with the clear objective of promoting peace, security and, above all, respect for human dignity.
COVID 19 outbreak has caught all of us unawares. In a bid to contain the spread of CORONA VIRUS the government has decided on total lockdowns, self-quarantine and forced isolation. We are witnessing uncertainty at best and insanity at worst. The feelings are mixed. It has changed our lives. Our mental and social wellbeing are affected. Confirmed cases of virus infected are rising rapidly.
The World Adivasi (tribal) Day was celebrated on Sunday, 11th August, 2019, at St. Theresa’s High School, organized by St. Arnold Youth Group and Urban Community Development Centre (UCDC), Bandra (West). There were about 700 participants; around 600 adults/youth and 100 children. World Adivasi Day is the most looked forward event by the Tribal domestic workers and the unorganized laborers. The entire Event Management was planned by the Adivasi youth group.
After the launch of the human rights review “Papua: the Neglected Paradise” the book has been presented to the Holy Father, Pope Francis and to the Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin.
The climate crisis is an emergency which needs an immediate attention. Our hotter planet is already hurting millions of people. We need to act right now to stop burning fossil fuels and ensure a rapid energy revolution with equity, reparations and climate justice at its heart.
