Copy Desk Daily, Sept. 3, 2020

Recommended for you today, from the NCR/GSR/EarthBeat copy desk:

"May the Lord give them good health and safety as they work to heal and serve us." The nature of sisters' work in Africa — health care, education, community projects — has put them at risk during the pandemic. Read this story about how they are carrying on by Global Sisters Report's Doreen Ajiambo, Africa/Middle East correspondent.

What do you think of when you hear "providentialism?" That no matter what happens is God's will? Rebecca Bratten Weiss grew up amid firsthand experiences of this belief (which is not Catholic teaching) such as watching people avoid medical treatment or having no income but living off the land and the kindness of strangers. She says our theology should have a preferential option for the suffering. Read: COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a dangerous providentialism among Catholics

In case you missed it: Last week's Horizons column on Global Sisters Report is Befriending Phoebe, a co-worker in the kingdom by Colleen Gibson, a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia. Today, on St. Phoebe's feast day, consider that the apostle Paul told the Romans to graciously receive the deacon Phoebe and give her any help she needed. Can't we ask the same, for women to truly share their gifts in ministry in the church?

GOP leaders in Oklahoma are quietly working to circumvent Supreme Court ruling giving tribes control of half the state​. Gov. Kevin Stitt has asked the EPA to give his state jurisdiction over environmental regulations on Native American reservations. This would include regulating fossil fuels, a multi-billion dollar industry which donated $239,102 to Stitt this election cycle. Get the details here.

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