Despite being quick to implement lockdown measures in March, the country has struggled to contain the spread of the virus. Huge inadequacies in the country’s health and social support systems have contributed to Peru recording over one million cases and 38,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Against the backdrop of a government already overwhelmed with the task of addressing one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the world, on 9 November 2020, Peru’s President Martín Vizcarra was impeached and forced out of office. It is thought that his strong anti-corruption agenda caused him to clash with members of Congress who then utilised the charge of “moral incapacity” on the grounds of alleged corruption to seize his political power and avoid being judged for corruption themselves.
It’s been said over and over again: We’re living through uncertain and unprecedented times. This year has been so different from what we might ever have hoped or imagined. For many, it’s come with immense challenge, grief and pain. For others, it’s been a time of rest, reflection and possibility. There’s no doubt this year will shape us indelibly.
It was around 6pm when my phone vibrated. An alert was warning me of severe flooding, flash floods and landslides. Typhoon Vamco was heading towards us.
Just ten days after Super Typhoon Goni devastated the Bicol region of the Philippines, another storm was coming. Where I live in Isabela (in the north of the Philippines), we thought the storm would only bring rain – nothing dangerous. We weren’t expecting it to be so severe.
Adoration & Thanksgiving
Dear Lord,
We worship You as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe,
The Saviour and Lord of this world,
The Author of love, and
Giver of all good gifts.
We thank You for blessing us with abundant life in You.
The crises shaking our world this year have reminded us of the urgent need to heal our relationships with each other and the natural world. Fittingly, the theme for Season of Creation this year is “Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope”. Many in this Renew Our World community have been thinking deeply about the opportunities COVID-19 provides for reshaping the future.
Rachel is the Environmental Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa which includes South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique. She also coordinates the Green Anglicans movement, is secretary to the Anglican Communion Environmental Network and sits on the steering group for the Season of Creation.
The Season of Creation is an annual celebration of prayer and action to honour and protect God’s good creation. Each year, tens of thousands of Christians participate in a range of events throughout the season, from prayer services to rubbish clean-ups to advocacy actions.
Dave is an Ordained Minister in the Church of England and Director of Theology for A Rocha International, a network of Christian organisations working in nature conservation across the world. A Rocha International have recently joined the Renew Our World community and played a key role in crafting the Wildlife Statement that calls for a rethink in our relationship with nature.
Renew Our World has today called for more protection for the Atewa Forest in Ghana. The ancient forest is currently under pressure from Sinohydro requiring repayment of loans with mined bauxite. If the mining goes ahead then the drinking water of up to five million people living in downstream catchments in and near the capital Accra may be undrinkable. The mining will also lead to significant loss of biodiversity.
Dave is an Ordained Minister in the Church of England and Director of Theology for A Rocha International, a network of Christian organisations working in nature conservation across the world. A Rocha International have recently joined the Renew Our World community and played a key role in crafting the Wildlife Statement that calls for a rethink in our relationship with nature.
Lindsay grew up in a small, rural town in northwest Iowa where she has lived most of her life.
“It’s very agricultural and largely conservative,” says Lindsay. “The church is the centre of the community; they say there are churches on every corner. We have several Christian schools, too. So Christianity is just kind of the thread of everyone's life there.”
