Rita Famos, the president of the Swiss Protestant Reformed Church, encourages people to keep hope in her message. She sends this message to the entire church in Switzerland. She makes special reference to the partner churches and partner organizations of Mission 21 in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Through the Corona pandemic, we in Europe would now for the first time "fragmentarily" share the existential fears of people in the global South. We are also at the mercy of the virus and its consequences and recognize our own vulnerability, writes Rita Famos.
Appreciation of the work of Mission 21
It emphasizes that the Protestant Reformed Church calls on Swiss authorities to protect the rights of all sick people, to treat the elderly in institutions with dignity, and in general to give priority to the right to health "over other fundamental rights, such as economic freedom."
But national measures alone were not enough. Solidarity and help for the most vulnerable in the poorest countries is necessary. Rita Famos draws particular attention to the work of Mission 21. With its Corona emergency aid, Mission 21 is following the "Call to Action" formulated by the United Nations as early as March 2020.
Reflect on the essentials
"As a church, we work close to the people," writes Rita Famos. She emphasizes the social support and counseling provided by the church during the crisis. The crisis, she says, is an opportunity to reflect on what is essential in life, especially to ask how we relate to our fellow human beings and how we might share strength and resources with our neighbors.
â–º Read Rita Famos' message (PDF English and German)
