Parish churches in Rome to remain
open for private prayer
 |
| The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome |
In agreement with Pope Francis, the Cardinal Vicar of the
Diocese of Rome has decided to amend an earlier decree closing Rome’s churches.
Parish churches, as well as equivalent missionary centres, will now be allowed
to remain open, while complying with measures to avoid the spread of the
coronavirus.
By Vatican News
The Diocese of Rome acted quickly to allow some churches in
the city to remain open, one day after an initial decision had been made to
close places of worship to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Covid-19.
On Friday morning, Pope Francis prayed “that the Holy Spirit
might grant pastoral discernment to pastors so that they might perceive
measures that might not leave the holy, faithful people of God alone, and so
that the people of God might feel accompanied by their pastors”. With the Holy
Father’s agreement, the Cardinal Vicar, Angelo De Donatis, exercising pastoral
discernment and wishing to avoid disorientation or confusion to the faithful,
issued a new decree allowing parish churches, and some other equivalent
pastoral missions, to remain open for private prayer.
In a letter to the faithful of the Diocese, Cardinal De
Donatis explained that the decision to close the churches of Rome had not been
made out of “irrational fear, or worse, a pragmatism devoid of hope”, but as a
means of preventing contagion. However, he explained, there is also a need to
ensure that people do not feel even more isolated, prompting the revised
pastoral provisions.
Cardinal De Donatis said the Church is relying on the “wise
discernment” of priests. “Be very close to the people of God”, he urged them.
“Make sure that every person feels loved and accompanied, help everyone to
perceive that the Church does not close its doors to anyone, but is concerned
that none of the ‘little ones’ should risk their lives or be forgotten”. He
encouraged them to bring “the comfort of the sacraments” to those who are ill
and to ensure the help necessary for the poor, while taking every possible
precaution to avoid anything that could endanger the health of others.
Cardinal De Donatis also encouraged prayer in the family,
maintaining “the tradition of our parents and grandparents”.
The Cardinal Vicar concluded his letter by calling on all
the faithful of the diocese to entrust themselves once more to Our Lady of
Divine Love, the Madonna del Divino Amore.
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