From fear to siblinghood, compassion and love: the role of faith communities in the time of the coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

This article presents the argument according to which pandemics have always affected the human society, the current COVID-19 being the latest of the series of health crisis that affects humankind. The objectives of this paper were fourfold. First, it traced the development of global epidemics that have plagued the world, drawing lessons from classics in fiction and non-fiction literature. Second, it investigated the impact of the current pandemic on human lives today. Third, it examined the role of the churches and faith-based groups individuals in response to the needs of the people during the pandemic. Fourth, it laid down further tasks that need to be undertaken during this health crisis. Critical international political economy, deep ecology, eco-centrism and the human rights-based approach guided this research. An Asia-wide ecumenical fellowship of national councils and churches served as the case study. Specifically, it investigated the ways in which the churches responded to the pandemic in relation to migrant workers and food security.