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Jill Kent, Justice and Peace Scotland's new chair, reflects on the possibility of a 'new normal'

Greetings to you all. I am writing to you as the new chair of the Justice and Peace Commission. I stepped into this role at a curious time in our world: a time of contradictions, and whatever the outcome, a time of change.

Perhaps like me, you find yourselves swinging between feelings that should not necessarily belong together. There are moments when I am struck with real sadness for everyone who is struggling with and working to heal this nasty virus.  And then other moments when I feel calmed by being able to live a less hectic lifestyle with more time for prayer and reflection.

Recently I followed some podcasts that pondered, “If we could build society all over again, if we could start from scratch, what would we keep?” At the time I dismissively thought, “But let’s be real, we can’t.  This is the world we built so let’s just think about how we can best move forward.”

And look at us now.  We have all stopped. Every one of us has paused to think about how we can start up again.  Some people can’t wait to get right back to where we left off, but many of us have realised that we can’t carry on with the way we’ve been living.  

Our economy has ground a halt. Emerging from that, we see injustices intensifying: those among us who were already struggling are impacted the most. Those on the edge of society have become even more vulnerable. 

In our own communities, those most affected by COVID 19 live in areas where air pollution is highest and poverty compromises both housing and health. In the developing world, entire populations are struggling to exist. Climate chaos has destroyed their food security and migration seems the only answer. Yet their contribution to the climate emergency has been minimal compared with that of the global north.

We must take the climate emergency seriously. We all knew it, but many of us have found it difficult to commit to the major changes required to make a real difference. Now perhaps we can use the networks and willpower created to tackle the virus to address the climate emergency. 

This past week we’ve been marking the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical. Many of us across the world have joined together online for a week of events challenging us to reflect, learn and pray about the Care of our Common Home. Five years on, this document has proved to be as prophetic and relevant as ever.  We have been challenged to listen to the cry of the earth, and the cry of the poor, and take serious action to take care of God’s creation.

Both the climate crisis and coronavirus pandemic remind us that we live in an interconnected world where we must work together building on the values we share.  If ever there was a time to work for change, it’s now. Will you join me during this pause in committing to work together to build a better and more just world?

As COVID 19 makes its way around the globe, Zambian journalist Njila Banda says it is now running free in his country. Here he reflects on the way the virus is being handled by the government of Zambia.

Since the first confirmed cases of COVID 19, I have spent lockdown at home at the Mthunzi Children’s Programme in Lusaka West. I have helped to plant vegetables and fed the chickens and pigs, always keeping that two metres distance from others. I have also been able to continue learning through Claned.com, an online learning application.
Now I am turning my eyes outwards to see how the politicians are interpreting the pandemic in Zambia.
It is certainly wise that we should observe the restrictions, but can it be ok for a minister to go around whipping people to make them to follow President’s directives? At the end of March, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo warned that people disobeying regulations on Coronavirus - such as not frequenting bars – would be whipped, and he was reported to have carried out the threat personally.
The virus has affected the globe, but we have not heard of any other country’s senior officials taking law on their hands. 
Our media has reported that Zambian human rights activist Fumba Chama, popularly known as Pilato, described Mr Lusambo’s threats as primitive, and he says that this cannot be the way that laws or presidential declarations are enforced. I wholeheartedly agree.
As the virus has spread, Kafue township where I am living on the outskirts of Lusaka was put under ‘lockdown’. I believe this should not be lifted. We know that people need to adhere to the directives in order to reduce the person-to-person transmission, and the virus is multiplying fast. By April 20, it had spread to other Lusaka townships - Garbon, Thornpark, Chilenje, Bauleni and Chaisa. Geographically, these are spread around the outskirts of the city. It has also been confirmed in the towns of Kafue, Kabwe, and Makeni. Patients include a 10-year-old child and a 19-year-old young woman. 
Governments alone cannot manage this scourge. It needs total cooperation of citizens, and our commitment to directives on hygiene, social distancing and the ‘stay home’ call.
But governments - ours here in Zambia in particular - should not use this period either for violence or for political gain. We don’t want to see political parties or individuals branding their personal protection equipment.  Facemasks can’t become political tools. For me, seeing vehicles and PPE branded by political parties to ‘fight COVID 19 together’ is partisan campaigning gone mad. 
We have to find the best ways of handling the virus, not score political points. The figures won’t be up to date by the time you read this, but at the time of writing, 2,498,999 cases of COVID 19 had been confirmed around the world. People are living in confinement to secure their own lives and the lives of others. 
I pray that Zambia will unite to fight this pandemic. As citizens of the world, we have to hold governments to account, even while we stay home to be safe. And we are in solidarity with those who have lost their loved ones and all those battling for their lives globally.

Alex Holmes reflects on his latest encounters with Calais refugees facing COVID 19

The wind is strong, funnelled by the high wall snaking the link road that connects Calais port to the French autoroutes. At the foot of the wall, sagging tents house young Eritrean exiles who have escaped their country’s repressive autocracy. Most have family and friends in the UK.  

Merhawi, his back to the wall, tells me a story in fluent English.

Once there was a rich young man who lived in a beautiful big house with ten bedrooms. One day he decided to invite Jesus to stay with him. When Jesus arrived, the man offered him the best bedroom in the house. "This room is all yours, Jesus. Stay as long as you like." 

Nearby, young Eritreans sit on camping stools around the fire. Smoke stings the eyes and throat and permeates everyone’s clothes. It’s the signature scent of the Calais refugee. ‘Sit, sit. Come and drink coffee.’ The circle widens. The winter light fades fast.

Night came and there was a loud banging at the front door. The young man went downstairs. He opened the front door to find an angry man demanding to be let into the house.  After a great struggle, he managed to shut the door. "I don’t understand,” he thought. “Jesus is in my best room sleeping while I am downstairs fighting a crazy demon.” The next night there was even louder banging at the front door. This time three big violent men tried to get into his house. He fought and fought and finally managed to shut the door. He didn't understand this at all. "Why didn't Jesus come to my rescue? Why did he allow me to fight all by myself?” 

This is Calais, a vast open-air prison with kilometres of concrete wall and surveillance cameras where people express their despair. So many have been shunted around Europe, their requests for asylum rejected. ‘Why does nobody want us?’ they ask. ‘Why is there no love and respect in Europe?’

Next morning the young man spoke to Jesus. "I don't understand. For two nights I fought the demons while you were sleeping. I thought that once I invited you to live with me that you would take care of me.” 
"I do care for you,” replied Jesus. “But when you invited me to come here and stay, you gave me this lovely room and you shut the door to the rest of your house. I am Lord of this room but I am not Master of this house. I have protected this room and no demon may enter here."
"Jesus please forgive me. Take all of my house – it’s yours. I want you to have control of everything." 
After that no more angry demons came to the young man’s house and his door was open to everyone who needed shelter. 

His story finished, Merhawi leaves the circle and melts into the night. I message him before I leave Calais, telling him I would say goodbye the next day. As promised, I come at midday - no sign of Merhawi. An hour later, a message: ‘I’m in Birmingham, Alex. Yesterday I got into truck and am now in UK.’
For Merhawi, the door had been opened.