A Sikh volunteer group is among the many volunteer groups delivering food to people self-isolating. They have reported that one family, they have helped had not eaten properly for days. Auckland-based organiser Harpreet Singh said the group had recruited volunteers and planned operations in Auckland, Christchurch, Napier, Whangārei and Hamilton. Singh said the group, a Read more
Authorities have quarantined an estimated 40,000 people after a Sikh religious preacher who died of Covid-19 is feared to have caused community spread of coronavirus in India’s Punjab state. Baldev Singh, the 70-year-old Sikh guru, died on March 18 in Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar district, 11 days after he returned from Germany via virus-stricken Italy. Read more
This week’s reflection comes from the parish of Holy Name Church, Dunedin. It is ironic that in these times of isolation when people replace cars around the streets, people are meeting more people than they used to. All the while keeping their social distance and remaining in their bubble. People seem to have slowed down. Read more
Negotiations are underway to have Easter services screened on television. “Our celebrations during the Easter period, which for us begins with a Mass on Holy Thursday evening, April 9, a special service on Good Friday afternoon and a Mass on Easter Sunday morning,” said Lyndsay Freer spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. “Because our Read more
Self-isolation. Quaratine. Lockdown. The outbreak of COVID-19 and its subsequent dissemination across the globe has left a shock wave of disbelief and confusion in many countries. Accompanying this wave has been a spike in racist terms, memes and news articles targeting Asian communities in North America. Asian Americans report being spit on, yelled at, even Read more
Plagues of global proportions might seem biblical, but coronavirus is creating new challenges for faith leaders. Last week in Australia, many churches, mosques and synagogues decided proactively to cancel their normal worship services. These were not easy decisions for groups for whom being a gathered community is central to their identity and practice. Australia’s largest Read more
The coronavirus pandemic has quickly swept the globe, throwing just about every human institution into chaos. Faith communities are no exception. With gatherings restricted in size or prohibited altogether, many houses of worship are fighting to stay connected, rapidly weighing technological options to keep as many people as possible engaged. This involves a good deal Read more
Britain’s DIY home abortion policy during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has shocked the Catholic bishops of England and Wales. The Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster says changing the rules to allow abortion pills to be taken in homes would “further endanger women” during a time of national crisis. The British government is waiving a Read more
The Pacific Conference of Churches is urging people to follow social-distancing and avoid congregations. Faith alone will not be enough to combat Covid-19, the Conference says. The Conference has told preachers not to claim the pandemic is a punishment from God. Nor may they vilify those who are infected. Reports from around the Pacific region Read more
An Australian archbishop says the COVID-19 epidemic is changing the way the Church evangelises. “This is not a theoretical discussion for the future but is happening in real-time”, says Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli. Comensoli says the epidemic is forcing the Church to be more creative in the way it reaches people. It is also reshaping Read more