Covid-19: Churches around the
world fight to prevent the spread of the coronavirus
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| A worshipper wearing a face mask in an empty Westminster Cathedral (ANSA) |
Religious leaders around the world adhere to government
plans to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Many churches have
been forced to suspend public Masses and are moving liturgical celebrations
online.
By Francesca Merlo
To help contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus,
Churches around the world are doing all they can to avoid large gatherings
while still allowing the faithful to pray together, even if from a physical
distance.
Pope Francis provided the first example when he announced on
March 7th that he would not be appearing from the window of his
study to recite his Sunday Angelus with pilgrims in St Peter’s Square.
Instead, he gave his catechesis from the Library of the
Apostolic Palace, and live-streamed it to the world.
Others follow Pope Francis' example
Shortly after, Churches all across Italy, the worst-hit
European Nation, cancelled all public Masses. As the virus spread, the Catholic
Church in France did the same.
In Spain, where the government is closely mirroring Italy’s
prevention measures, Bishops have responded to the crisis by publishing links
to television channels and radio stations on which Masses can be attended in an
attempt to keep people at home.
St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Ireland have been suspended
and church’s around the country will limit themselves to sounding their bells
to honour and celebrate their patron Saint.
Austria, Germany, Belgium and several other EU countries
have also suspended all their Sunday Masses, with the Dutch Diocese of
Haarlem-Amsterdam holding a nine-day novena to pray for an end to the
pandemic.
Latin America's response
In Latin America, Puerto Rico announced the closure of its
churches on March 15th.
That was just one day after Peru’s government declared a
state of emergency, putting a stop to all religious services with a
congregation.
But many Peruvian dioceses had already implemented stringent
measures.
A priest from the capital, Lima, was the first person to be
hospitalised with Covid-19, so the Bishops acted quickly to avoid further
contagion.
In Nicaragua, the Bishops released a statement expressing
their concern over what they called the country’s “weak healthcare system”.
They urged the Nicaraguan faithful not to take part
physically in liturgical celebrations but rather to do so from their homes,
through the media.
One message
So the Church around the world – from Pope Francis on down
the hierarchy – is proclaiming the same message to halt the spread of the
coronavirus: nourish your spiritual life with Mass and prayer, but do it from
home.
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