COVID-19: Latin America and the Caribbean Lutheran leaders issue pastoral letter

“We are more interconnected and interdependent”

(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) church leaders have issued a joint pastoral letter of solidarity to the people and churches of LAC that are devastated by the effects of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

After analyzing the existing social challenges in the region exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19, the church leaders expressed concern with the rising social and economic inequalities.

Living conditions in LAC have worsened, they write. “Without warning, from one moment to the other, the sources of work for the daily bread are closed, factories, shops, tourisms,” and even churches have been closed. The leaders urged the churches “to show that we recognize and value in each person, without distinctions; the opportunity to collaborate to build a more humane, egalitarian, and ecological society.”

“We are more interconnected and interdependent than we thought” and we have “rediscovered our humanity and all its inherent contradictions,” they wrote.

They furthermore encouraged the Lutheran community to pray for those in need in the region, especially indigenous and migrant people who are rejected in society, women and girls facing increased violence, and for children who can no longer play freely with friends.

“Today, it is crucial to live and experience God’s grace [and] to recognize the obstacles that increases suffering in order to find ways for new life.”

Original story (in Spanish)

The LWF has 19 member churches in 18 countries in the LAC region.