The Spanish-American War 125 years ago, although brief, spun confusion and upheaval for Catholics on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico
San Juan Archbishop Struggles with Slow Communications Following Fiona
Puerto Rico’s archbishop said he has not been in contact with all his priests since Hurricane Fiona knocked out power to the island, and he expressed concern for the hurricane’s impact on the southern and western parts of the island.
More Than 1 Million Left Without Running Water After Hurricane Fiona Ripped Through The Dominican Republic
Hurricane Fiona is continuing its ruinous path Tuesday after devastating Puerto Rico with flooding rain then ripping through the Dominican Republic, where more than a million people were left without running water and dozens of homes were destroyed.
Puerto Ricans Decry SCOTUS Decision Denying Them Disability Benefits
Father Camacho told The Tablet his family’s story to illuminate the need for people in Puerto Rico to receive SSI benefits and the hardships people go through without them, after the Supreme Court on April 21 declined to mandate that Congress extend federal disability benefits to residents of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Religious Leaders Welcome Long-Awaited Debt Restructuring Plan
Religious leaders in Puerto Rico have welcomed a debt restructuring plan that will reduce the stress on the U.S. territory’s economy and called for more focused efforts to reduce poverty and prioritize economic development.
‘A Complete Leap of Faith’: One Teen’s Journey to Becoming a Sister
For Anabell Maradiaga, moving to Puerto Rico has been an eye-opening experience, compared to life in the concrete jungle of Corona, Queens. The 19-year-old is on her way to becoming part of the Missionary Sisters of Mary for Faith Formation.
Catholic Bishops Meet With U.S. Treasury Head to Discuss COVID Economic Crisis
For the first time in at least 30 years, on March 16 interfaith leaders — including two Catholic bishops — got a seat at the table to discuss global issues with the head of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
15 Years of Turmoil in Puerto Rico
In 2006, Puerto Rico’s economy entered a recession. A key factor was the United States federal government phased out a provision of the Puerto Rican tax code that gave U.S. corporations in Puerto Rico tax exemptions. The move prompted companies to move out of Puerto Rico and cost thousands of Puerto Ricans their jobs.
Puerto Rico Tries to Recover and Rebuild After Years of Disasters, Financial Hardship
Father Enrique Camacho has lived with his parents in San Juan, Puerto Rico, since 2017. He moved there after Hurricane Maria destroyed the parish house where he lived. And like much of the island, it still hasn’t been rebuilt. Hurricane Maria came two weeks after Hurricane Irma devastated much of Puerto Rico.
Catholic Leaders Call on Biden to Rescue Reeling Puerto Rico
There have been enough earthquakes in Puerto Rico over the past year and a half that the sensation has stuck with Archbishop Roberto González Nieves of San Juan. Sometimes, González said, he thinks the earth is shaking even when it’s not.
