AMERICA/PANAMA - Bishops make churches and staff available for vaccinations and call for inequalities to be reduced

Friday, 12 February 2021 coronavirus social situation episcopal conferences

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Panama City (Agenzia Fides) - After concluding the annual Ordinary Assembly of the Episcopal Conference of Panama (CEP), held from 8 to 10 February, during which they analyzed the social and pastoral situation of the country, the Bishops launched an appeal to reduce inequalities amid the pandemic.
The note sent to Fides informs that the Archbishop of Panama, Mgr.José Domingo Ulloa, at the end of this Assembly, considers it appropriate to reaffirm the opportunity for Panamanians to get vaccinated, therefore the Catholic Church makes its churches and the staff of the different apostolic groups and movements for the vaccination process against Covid-19.
"We also proposed to motivate, through our media and online platforms, the registration of people for their vaccination. We want to organize our parish offices in such a way that those who do not have the possibility of access can come and register here", explained the Archbishop.
Mgr. Manuel Ochogavía Barahona, OSA, Bishop of the diocese of Colón-Kuna Yala, explained that the Church depends on the contribution of the faithful. Consequently, the crisis also affected the economic situation of the parishes. However, he reaffirmed that the Church has not stopped helping those most in need, transforming churches into dining halls and collection centers.
"We have a courageous laity who voluntarily participates in the welfare program, helping to monitor and ensure that government aid reaches those in need and does not just become a means of political propaganda", the Bishops said.
On the other hand, they called the national education crisis "a social sin", which condemns a significant part of children and young people to have to abandon their studies.
"The digital age, with its new technologies, has put our educational system to the test, with negative results for many" the Bishops say. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 12/2/2021)