Insights: Aid for All CA Residents; Ethical Vaccine Development

CA Bishops Request Aid for Undocumented

California’s Catholic Bishops have asked Governor Gavin Newsom to increase aid to undocumented and low-wage residents of the state “because the virus doesn’t know the difference between someone who has the right legal documents and those who do not.”

Pope Francis, on Easter Sunday, spoke to the world and urged solidarity in this moment of crisis.  He asked all governments “to recognize that the equal and fundamental human dignity of every human person — not economic class or status of documentation — must be the central principle of forging assistance programs in this moment of crisis.”

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Bishops Request Ethical COVID-19 Vaccine Development

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has written a letter to Dr. Stephen M. Hahn, Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to ensure that vaccines for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are developed ethically and are free from any connection to the exploitation of abortion.

“It is critically important that Americans have access to a vaccine that is produced ethically: no American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience,” the Bishops wrote.

Read more at USCCB.org.

 

#SchoolisinSession – Distance Learning in CA Catholic Schools

As reported in our recent article, Catholic schools have been engaged in distance learning since the beginning of shelter-in-place orders. Click here for video follow-up featuring families and administrators sharing their experiences with distance learning while continuing our rich Catholic traditions.  The video is also available in Spanish here.

 

Census 2020

This new video, featuring Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell,  demonstrates why participating in the 2020 Census is so important – for everyone. Completing the census will help our communities emerge from this crisis with resources to recover and thrive.  The video is also available in Spanish.

 

Domestic Abuse Hotline

The shelter-in-place orders are to support public health, but for those living in homes where domestic violence occurs, this can also present a serious safety issue.

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline is available 24/7/365. For anyone affected by abuse or in need of support, call 1-800-799-7233. If that is not an option, text LOVEIS to 22522 or an online chat with counselors is also available.

Additional Resources:

·      “Saying ‘No’ to Violence in the Home” by Bishop Richard Malone

·      Catholics for Family Peace. . . : a Catholic group dedicated to preventing domestic violence in Catholic homes and educating Catholics about domestic violence

·      National Center on Sexual Exploitation. . .

·      Overcoming Obstacles: Domestic Violence on the For Your Marriage website

·      Survey of Diocesan Responses to domestic violence (July 2008)

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S., Canadian Bishops to Consecrate Countries to Mary

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has announced the U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops May 1 in consecrating the two nations to the care of the Blessed Mother under the title “Mary, Mother of the Church.”

“This will give the church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus,” said Archbishop Gomez in a letter to the U.S. bishops. Each year, the church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May.

Read more at AngelusNews.com.

 

COVID-19 Updates and Resources

 

 

 

 

 

Opportunities in Restorative Justice

·      Prison Chaplains – There are currently two vacancies for chaplains; one at California Correctional Center in Susanville and one at California Institution for Men in Chino. A Catholic chaplain is an employee of the State of California and can be a priest, religious sister, deacon, or layperson. Chaplains are leaders in sharing the traditions, practices, and ministry of the Church in the unique setting of a prison or jail. Click here for more information.

·      Fall 2020 Internship – The California Catholic Conference is seeking a Restorative Justice Intern in the Sacramento office. We are looking for a Catholic who has leadership abilities, community service experience, and effective writing/communication skills. Click here for a more detailed job description. For more information, please send your resume to Debbie McDermott at dmcdermott@cacatholic.org

 

The pandemic reminds us there are no differences or borders between those who suffer. We are all frail, all equal, all precious. May we be profoundly shaken: Now is the time to eliminate inequalities and heal the injustice undermining the health of the entire human family!

-@Pontifex

 

April 24, 2020

Vol. 13, No. 15

En Español

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