Covid-19: US Bishops demand aid for poor and vulnerable
By Pope
Archbishop Paul Coackley opens his by stressing that âas Congress turns once more to considering additional relief related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the focus should be on those most in needâ.
âThis is not a time for indifferenceâ says Archbishop Coackley, recalling Pope Francisâ Easter Urbi et Orbi Message. âThe whole world is suffering and needs to be united in facing the pandemic. The most vulnerable of our brothers and sistersâ living in every part of the world must ânot be abandonedâ, he says. âLet us ensure that they do not lack basic necessities...â
Waiting, therefore, for the US Congress to establish "further aid" in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, Archbishop Coakley urges that attention turn to âthe poor, the vulnerable, and people on the margins, to offer them some hope and assistance in desperate circumstancesâ.
The Archbishop of Oklahoma City then recalls the numerous letters he and his brother bishops have sent members of Congress since the beginning of April. In these letters, the bishops demand assistance for the most vulnerable, addressing issues such as âfood security, housing, access to affordable health care, protection for the unborn, addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, assistance for the poor and unemployed, care for migrants and refugees, safety for detainees and the incarcerated, education, international assistance and debt relief, and help for charities serving vulnerable populationsâ.
Finally, Archbishop Coackley welcomes the Vaticanâs new commission on Covid-19. He assures that the US Bishops will âcontinue our advocacy in the same mode as this critical work for the common good continuesâ.
âLet us proceed in this hopeâ, he concluded, âasking the Lord for wisdom on how best to respond, drawing close to our brothers and sisters in need, and finding our peace in the Lordâs promise to be with us âuntil the end of the age.ââ
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here