There’s a whole range of things that people can do, both to prevent the Covid-19 virus from taking hold, but also to be supportive of people who might contract the disease.” Cardinal John Dew the archbishop of Wellington told Vatican News. He said this is a time when people need to be ready to help Read more
The Philippines’ crucifixion reenactments will be canceled this year as coronavirus cases climb, said authorities in the city where the annual tourist spectacle is held. About a dozen Catholics regularly have themselves nailed to wooden crosses on Good Friday as penance for their sins. The event attracts thousands of tourists. This year’s rituals were planned Read more
Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has been cancelled due to fears over the spread of coronavirus. Authorities had initially insisted that the festivities — which mark St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland in 432 — would go ahead, but bowed to pressure from doctors March 9 and announced the cancellation. Read more
Last week, I was following the news about the coronavirus, trying to make sense of what I was reading and to figure out what exactly my family needed to do to prepare. This week, life changed a bit. My husband and I found out that two of my children had been exposed to the virus, Read more
It is the spring sumo season in Japan, one of the six two-week periods of the year when the national sport is played out before huge crowds. But not this year. The media are showing the wrestling tournament taking place in an empty venue. Spectators are banned from the arena. In various parts of the Read more
Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so Read more
St Peter’s Square has been closed to the public. The Diocese of Rome has cancelled masses until 3 April and announced a day of prayer and fasting. Instead of meeting thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis held his general weekly audience and delivered his catechism via livestream from the privacy of his Read more
Secret Masses are being celebrated in northern Italy during the coronavirus crisis. Some churches are closed in response to edicts from the bishops, some are open although Mass is suspended, some are hosting Masses not intended for “the people,” although visitors may stay. The coronavirus situation has fired-up critics of the bishops’ with some Catholics Read more
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
More than 40 years of research on the psychology of surviving disasters has found that religion can be a valuable resource in fostering resilience. While religion is generally connected to positive outcomes, studies of people’s reactions to the Ebola outbreak and the Syrian refugee crisis show that some forms of religiosity may be less healthy Read more