Pope Francis has encouraged priests to go out and ‘meet the coronavirus sick’ as he avoids crowds amid an outbreak that has killed more than 4,000 people. The 83-year-old pontiff has come down with a cold and cancelled appearances at the Vatican to avoid interacting with worshippers during the crisis. His message came after a Read more
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Coronavirus: Pope tells priests to meet infected patients as he avoids crowds
Thursday, March 12th, 2020No faith no sacramental marriage
Monday, March 9th, 2020
Questions about the validity of sacramental marriage in the absence of faith have been raised in a new International Theological Commission document. These questions have been raised repeatedly since the 1970s and Popes St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis have all tried to answer them. “The existence today of ‘baptised nonbelievers’ raises a Read more
Vatican City’s first coronavirus case confirmed
Monday, March 9th, 2020
Vatican City’s first coronavirus (COVID-19) case has been confirmed. A number of precautionary measures have been implemented to contain the disease, a Vatican spokesman says. These include: Closing some of the Vatican’s offices. Shutting down and disinfecting the Vatican health clinic. Putting a Vatican official into a protective quarantine after he came into contact with Read more
Ireland’s former president threatens Pope
Monday, March 9th, 2020
Ireland’s former president Mary McAleese has written to the Pope saying she’ll leave the the Catholic Church if it is found the Vatican “failed to act to protect members of the L’Arche community” from the community’s founder Jean Vanier. In her letter to the pope (which she published on her personal website on 26 February) Read more
Rolls Royce withdraws offer for donors to see pope
Monday, March 9th, 2020
An exclusive offer to Rolls Royce owners who donate $100,000 euros to the Holy See has been withdrawn. According to news reports last week, Rolls-Royce and tour facilitator and operator Italian Luxury Living were offering Rolls Royce owners a chance to meet privately with Pope Francis. The reports said donors would also receive the Eucharist Read more
Pope feels caged in by coronavirus
Monday, March 9th, 2020
Pope Francis said he felt “caged” when he made his Sunday blessing over the internet from inside the Vatican instead of from a window on Sunday. “It’s a bit strange this Angelus prayer today with the pope caged in the library, but I see you, and I am close to you,” he said. This is Read more
Japanese dioceses suspend Masses amid coronavirus epidemic
Monday, March 9th, 2020Japanese dioceses have chosen to suspend Masses for several weeks due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic across the country. Last week, the Archdiocese of Tokyo cancelled all public Masses for more than two weeks in order to prevent the spread of the virus — a policy in line with secular precautions being taken by the Read more
Ten cases of coronavirus contracted in megachurch in France
Monday, March 9th, 2020Ten people at a five-day megachurch gathering last month in France’s Grand Est region’s fourth largest city have contracted coronavirus. The French health ministry on Mar. 3 urged the thousands of other people who were at the Feb. 17-21 evangelical rally in the Alsatian city of Malhouse to watch for possible symptoms of COVID-19. Five Read more
Priest abducted in southern Nigeria freed
Monday, March 9th, 2020A diocesan priest abducted from southern Nigeria is now free after being held in captivity for nearly three days. “I have been reliably informed that Father David Echioda has been released by his abductors. Thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time,” said an official of the Diocese of Otukpo in a Read more