The Church's contribution to the Covid19

Dear friends,

The gaze and the hands of the Church, with the proclamation of the Word of God, have been during this crisis our contribution to help and remedy the fragility of human beings and of the whole of creation. They should continue to be the contribution in the still dark phases of departure that await us. With it we add us to the confidence in the scientific and sanitary personnel that works to encounter therapies and better assistance.

We gather a summary of the reflections that Justice and Peace has structured during the coronavirus lockdown based on its mission. This pandemic has been caused by the alteration of human activity over nature. The Covid19 has highlighted our weaknesses and deficiencies, urging us to face a personal, health, social and political crisis, and giving us an opportunity to feel that we are Common Home inhabitants who need to build a more just and inclusive world. This virus has caused the structural violence in our world to resprout, but also to seek seek the cooperation and solidarity of people and institutions in order to bring about the change we need, ensuring that neither one is left behind nor the planet is harmed.

Likewise, the post-coronavirus recovery plan has been discussed in the Third European Day of Reflection on Laudato si', because of it was the 5th anniversary of this Encyclical. Justice and Peace has participated in numerous celebrations and events during the course of the commemoration. At the end of the anniversary, it was declared the Year of Laudato si', and so «Connect Yourself for Justice» decided to extend the campaign "If you care for the planet, you fight against poverty" until 24 May 2021.

The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees is "Forced like Jesus Christ to flee", and this year it focuses on the pastoral care of people who migrate within their country. "The drama of internally displaced persons, an often unseen tragedy that the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated".

On the back cover we also point out the activities of two other groups of which we are part. On the one hand, the NGO Coordination for Development which has held its regular Assembly. The strategy of political and social advocacy for the period 2019-2022 proposes the promotion of policy coherence for sustainable development and global justice, the reform of the cooperation system that allows progress in human rights, equity and sustainable development and the participation of this new cooperation policy. On the other hand, Church for Decent Work claimed the centrality of the person and decent work during the International Day of Work. We paid special tribute to all the men and women who carry out the most invisible and precarious jobs. These people, with their vulnerable, temporary and low paid jobs, in the worst moments of health crisis, living in extreme situations, have been essential for the sustainability of life.