by Gerald A Arbuckle. Published by Orbis Books, 2021. (USD 25.00). Reviewed by Ruth Mather

It’s a cliché, but COVID has changed our lives forever. It has brought chaos to our health systems, economies and confronted many with the inherent uncertainty of life. Gerald Arbuckle, an anthropologist and New Zealand Marist priest, analyses the various responses of different countries to the pandemic; individual-oriented nations like USA and the UK, community-oriented nations like Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia and autocratic-oriented nations like China, Brazil and Russia.

He examines the issues of poverty, racism and institutionalised racism and how COVID has exacerbated the suffering of those already vulnerable from these issues. This resonates with Aotearoa, where a disproportionate number of COVID cases and deaths affect the homeless, Māori and Pacific Island peoples.

Arbuckle turns to the story of the Good Samaritan to provide the prophetic values and action required to alleviate suffering. He proposes the creation of intentional communities, challenging institutional injustice, understanding Catholic fundamentalism and avoiding the business ethos in our ministries. As Jacinda says, be kind, and act as the team of five million (or eight billion)!

This is a book for those who work in Church structures, or want to make their parish a vibrant responder in this time of chaos, or want to understand COVID in the light of God’s people. Summary and reflection questions at the conclusion of each chapter will aid such reflection.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 273 August 2022: 27