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Welcome to Monday. The vast majority of women religious in the U.S. are over the age of 70 and many live in large groups in close quarters, making getting the coronavirus vaccine a matter of life and death. The Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi, has been under federal investigation after it failed to divulge fraud committed for years by one of its priests.
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** As COVID-19 vaccines roll out, some sisters are early recipients ([link removed])
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Because the vast majority of women religious in the United States are over the age of 70 and many live in large groups in close quarters, when sisters will get the coronavirus vaccine may be a matter of life and death. But the timing of their vaccinations depends on where they live.
States, not a federal agency, are handling vaccine distribution, so there will likely be different rules and procedures in each of them. This means a convent in Brooklyn in New York City could fall under one set of rules while a community just across the river in New Jersey could be under another. One in Philadelphia, less than two hours away, could be under a third.
But the differences are likely to be minor, said Brian Kane, senior director of ethics at the Catholic Health Association and the organization's point person on the vaccine.
"Nationally, there's a great deal of consensus on how to do it," Kane said. "Sisters are probably high up on the list. First is health care workers, of course, but then, basically, it's people at higher risk of catching it, and certainly, advanced age and whatever health conditions they have would be factors."
You can read more of this story here ([link removed]) .
"More background:
* "I have a moral obligation to receive the vaccine and to witness to others who are fearful, most notably the people of color I work with and serve," writes Sr. Mary Catherine Redmond in a commentary for NCR ([link removed]) . "… It is my moral obligation to protect and witness that this is about the care of all, not some. Not those chosen but all."
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** Indictment of fundraising priest exposes lack of diocesan oversight ([link removed])
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From 2014 until 2018, Fr. Lenin Vargas allegedly solicited funds from parishioners at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Starkville, Mississippi, where he was the pastor, for what he claimed were expenses for his cancer treatment and for charities in his native country of Mexico.
But according to a federal indictment, there was no cancer treatment. Vargas had HIV and his medical expenses were covered by his employer, the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi. Still, Vargas was able to raise over $33,000.
Furthermore, the diocese failed to divulge the fraud, allowing Vargas to pilfer money for years, according to an affidavit filed in federal court. In July, the diocese, which was also being investigated for its alleged inaction, agreed to tighten its financial controls under a deal it reached with the feds.
You can read more about this case here ([link removed]) .
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** Building a Common Future ([link removed])
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This week, we continue our series, Building a Common Future ([link removed]) , in which we asked Catholic politicians, activists and scholars to offer advice to President-elect Joe Biden.
"Building our common future: It's what the United States, indeed, the entire world needs right now," we wrote in an editorial ([link removed]) introducing the series.
Today's commentary ([link removed]) comes from Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, and focuses on rural poverty. "To effectively work for justice for rural people living in poverty, and for all the economically disadvantaged, we will need to relearn our basic civics lessons and promote true participatory democracy," he writes.
Read the rest of Stowe's commentary here ([link removed]) .
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** More headlines
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* There are so-called Catholic blogs, internet sites, even broadcast networks still spreading falsehoods about the results of the recent presidential election, says NCR columnist Phyllis Zagano ([link removed]) .
* President-elect Joe Biden should start his presidency with proposals that could be described as liberal populist, ideas that will make it very difficult for Republicans to oppose lest they appear like shills for the uber-rich, writes NCR political columnist Michael Sean Winters ([link removed]) . One such proposal is for an alternative minimum corporate tax.
* Allowing pro-life to be defined as a one-issue concern has torn us apart, writes St. Joseph Sr. Donna Gunn in a column at Global Sisters Report ([link removed]) . "I believe being pro-life can be one of our most beautiful unifying beliefs, so I have to ask myself how in the world have we allowed this teaching to be so watered down that it has become the source of our division?"
* Listen to a bonus episode of "The Francis Effect ([link removed]) ," in which NCR executive editor Heidi Schlumpf, Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault process the attack on the Capitol and the rhetoric that led to this.
* Pope Francis says he was "astonished" by the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol ([link removed]) and was surprised that such a scene could unfold in a country with a long history of practicing democracy.
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** Final thoughts
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In preparation for the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, Global Sisters Report is hosting a conversation at 2 p.m. Central on Tuesday, Jan. 19 with Srs. Gabriella Bottani and Jean Schafer, both leaders among Catholic sisters working against human trafficking. You can register to attend this virtual event here ([link removed]) . A second session on the hidden world of human trafficking happening locally and how ordinary citizens can make a difference will be held at 2 p.m. Central Thursday, Jan. 21. That event is hosted by Jennifer Reyes Lay and Felician Sr. Maryann Agnes Mueller. You can register for the second session here ([link removed]) .
Until Tuesday,
Stephanie Yeagle
NCR Managing Editor
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
Twitter: @ncrSLY ([link removed])
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