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This week, activism dominated the conversation in Washington with thousands of people protesting police brutality and racial injustice across the nation. The activism was set against the backdrop of lawmakers' continued work to combat the economic and health impacts of the coronavirus.
Thousands of protestors poured into the streets for a second week to exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble over the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd. President Trump indicated to state governors that if they did not call up National Guard troops to "dominate the streets," he would "deploy the United States military to quickly solve the problem for them." The House is looking to propose legislative solutions. House Democrats have said it will showcase a package of proposals next week to address the use of excessive force, qualified immunity for police officers and racial profiling. House Republicans have said that they believe that both sides can "find common ground" and highlighted using federal funds to better police training and ensuring bad officers can be removed.
Catholic Charities USA President and CEO, Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, issued a statement condemning the killing of George Floyd and the continuous acts of violence and indifference to human life. "CCUSA is profoundly disturbed by such continual repetition of acts of wanton indifference to human life, especially to the lives of our African American brothers and sisters." You can read the full statement here.
The claims for unemployment assistance continue to rise with an additional 1.9 million people filing for initial unemployment. For eleven straight weeks unemployment claims have exceeded a million. Prior to the pandemic, the Department of Labor (DOL) had never recorded a week of jobless claims over a million. The total number of people filing for unemployment benefits have reached 42.6 million people since the middle of March. While the unemployment claims continue to climb, the broader economy saw signs of improvement.
The DOL reported that unemployment rate decreased to 13.3 percent, down from the 14.7 percent April number. The economy added 2.5 million jobs to non-farm payrolls. The improved numbers bucked economist projections of losses anywhere from 2 to 8 million jobs. The improvement was largely from a 2.7 million decline in the number of people reporting temporary layoffs. The gains were led by 1.2 million jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry as states began to ease restrictions.
Congress continues to negotiate additional assistance to help people dealing with the impact of the coronavirus. While a broader package remains stalled, Congress did pass a bill to increase flexibility for the Payment Protection Program. Last week the House voted overwhelmingly, 417-1, in support of the bill, and this week the Senate used unanimous consent to send the bill to the president's desk. As of writing of the weekly, the President has yet to sign the bill, but is expected to sign it.
The bipartisan bill increases the amount of time small businesses and nonprofits have to spend the money, extending the period from eight weeks to 24 weeks. Additionally, the bill lowers the amount of the loan required to be spent on payroll to 60 percent instead of 75 percent.
Faith and the Common Good
"We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest Until it Comes" is attributed to Ella Jo Baker, who was a fervent civil rights organizer who began her work in 1927. She was dedicated to social justice throughout her life and worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. and the members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to fight for civil rights.
In the Gospel of Matthew, scripture instructs to take rest with God, especially those who have labored and they are burdened.
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,* and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew 11:28-30
In these times we know that we cannot cease to do the work to address injustice, but we will find comfort with our God.
Prayer for Victims and Perpetrators of Injustice
For all those who have fallen victim to hatred and inhumanity, for those loved ones who are left behind to mourn, for the souls of those whose hearts are cold, Lord, hear our prayer.
For the children who are being born into this world of conflict and violence, for women and mothers who suffer needlessly, Lord, hear our prayer.
For all those who have been forced into unemployment, who long to return to work, for all those who struggle to support their families, Lord, hear our prayer.
For the soldiers who are misguided in thinking that their bullets will bring about peace, for those who feel called to conscientiously object to military orders, Lord, hear our prayer.
For the children who cry in their beds at night and wonder "what have I done?"
For the mothers and fathers who must try to explain the unexplainable, Lord, hear our prayer.
For all the children who have died before their time, for the soldiers who allow their uniform to strip them of their humanity, for the healers who are denied the opportunity to use their gifts, Lord, hear our prayer.
For the redemption of souls of both victim and perpetrator, for those who commit themselves to the forgiveness of sins, Lord, hear our prayer.
- Author Unknown
Stations of the Cross
In many parishes across the country, many pray the Stations of the Cross on Friday. Kayla Jacobs, the Director of Programs for Laudato Si' Ministries of the Diocese of Joliet has offered some reflections for the stations here.
Trivia
What important Amendment was passed by Congress on June 13, 1866, just 154 years ago?
Please send your answers to socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
Last week's question asked for the name of the only Catholic University in the United States founded by a Saint. A pivotal word was inadvertently left out of the question. It should have read, "What is the name of the only Catholic University in the United States founded by a Saint born in the U.S.?" There are two universities in the U.S. founded by a saint. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana was found by Saint Theodora and she was born in France in 1798.
Ellen Markham was the first to identify that Xavier University of Louisiana was founded by Saint Katharine Drexel. She and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament found the university in 1925 that is Catholic and historically Black located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. This preparation takes place in a diverse learning and teaching environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including research and community service.
Being America's only Historically Black and Catholic University is just the first of the distinctions that have set Xavier University of Louisiana apart for more than eight decades.
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