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As coronavirus cases rise sharply in Latin American countries, so has violence against women.

Con el rápido aumento de casos de coronavirus en América Latina, crece también la violencia contra las mujeres.

Church leaders and human rights advocates are amplifying calls for justice after the death of Zara Alvarez, a health worker and human rights defender in the Philippines. Alvarez, who was killed on 17 August, worked closely with churches in a common quest for human dignity and rights.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) sent greetings to the Presbyterian Church of Colombia as the church commemorates 164 years of preaching and service.

El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) ha enviado una felicitación a la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia, que cumple 164 años de predicación y servicio.

Within the context of confinement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, multifaceted violence persists in Colombia, as well as violations of the rights of social leaders, Indigenous, Afro-Colombian and peasant populations.

As Rev. Dan San Andres Sr, known as a defender of human rights, was arrested a week after the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act was passed in the Philippines, the World Council of Churches (WCC) joined with the bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in calling for justice.

The death of a father and son in police custody last week in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has caused outrage and protest in the state. Family members and friends of the victims have accused the police of subjecting them to torture while they were in custody.

One of the main voices of the Brazilian and Latin American ecumenical movement, Jether Pereira Ramalho passed away on 28 June, in Rio, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration, dedication and transformation to many generations.

Una de las principales voces del movimiento ecuménico brasileño y latinoamericano, Jether Pereira Ramalho, falleció el pasado 28 de junio en Río de Janeiro dejando un legado de inspiración, dedicación y transformación a muchas generaciones.

As Brazilians face harder times on a daily basis with the increasing impacts of COVID-19 at all levels of society, several church-based organizations launched a campaign on 11 June calling on people to express solidarity with all who have lost family members and friends due to the pandemic and its systemic consequences in a reality marked by inequality, such as hunger, violence, and racism.

Mientras los brasileños se enfrentan a tiempos más difíciles cada día con el creciente impacto de la COVID-19 en todos los niveles de la sociedad, varias organizaciones de las iglesias lanzaron el 11 de junio una campaña con la que instan a las personas a expresar su solidaridad con todos los que han perdido a familiares y amigos debido a la pandemia y sus consecuencias sistémicas en una realidad marcada por la desigualdad, como el hambre, la violencia y el racismo.

“It was with sorrow that we received the news about the passing of Rev. Norman Bent,” said Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). “Through his tireless ministry for reconciliation, justice and peace, Rev. Bent leaves behind an inspiring legacy for the global ecumenical movement.”

“Recibimos con tristeza la noticia del fallecimiento del Rev. Norman Bent”, afirmó el Rev. Prof. Dr. Ioan Sauca, secretario general en funciones del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). “A través de su incansable ministerio por la reconciliación, la justicia y la paz, el Rev. Bent deja un inspirador legado para el movimiento ecuménico mundial”.

Rt. Rev. Sharma Nithyanandam is the bishop in Vellore, Church of South India. Below, he reflects on how churches can infuse hope as an antidote to despair by becoming agents of tangible social action. During the COVID-19 lockdown, our church doors may be closed but our hearts are not, and Bishop Nithyanandam reflects on why this is a time for deeds and not just words.

Norwegian churches added their voice to the chorus of concern for the people of the Amazon as the coronavirus increasingly spreads. In a letter to the Brazilian embassy, the Church of Norway and the Roman Catholic Church in Norway jointly expressed deep solidarity with the people of Brazil.

Las iglesias de Noruega han sumado su voz a la alarma por los pueblos de la Amazonia ante la creciente propagación del coronavirus. En una carta a la embajada de Brasil, la Iglesia de Noruega y la Iglesia Católica Romana en Noruega expresaron conjuntamente su solidaridad con el pueblo brasileño.

Hope, solidarity and a spirit of service are recurring themes in Easter messages received by the World Council of Churches from many of its member churches and partners.