Posted on 03/17/2020 7:02:17 PM PDT by marshmallow
In response to growing public health concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has announced the suspension of public Masses, at least until March 29.
“I deeply regret that we are forced to temporarily suspend public celebration of the Mass in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,” Archbishop José H. Gomez said in a statement released March 16.
“What we do in the Church, we do out of love for God and love for our brothers and sisters. We are taking this extraordinary step today out of love and concern for those in our families and communities who are most vulnerable to this deadly coronavirus,” he added.
Over the weekend, both California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced strict new measures aimed at containing the virus’s spread.
(Excerpt) Read more at angelusnews.com ...
I think this is a good idea.
There was a thread the other day where someone suggested having special Mass times for the elderly.
The problem with that is that one infected elder without symptoms could infect numerous other older people in the church - and this population are among the most vulnerable.
The churches are very important, right now; and they should arrange resources that don’t require the people to congregate together.
I disagree. We could sit 3’ apart. (But they didn’t ask me).
Our churches today are a real profile in courage. </sarc>
I remember recent references to a study which suggested that this bug can travel in air far further than three feet; and that it can live on hard surfaces for days. It’s not a chance that I’d take with my elder loved ones.
(A hypothetical situation/thought experiment: What if a Christian Scientist told you that he/she wasn’t afraid of this virus, because their Faith would protect them; and on which basis refused to follow any social-distancing guidelines?)
That many many people would object to this step is understandable imho. But it may just save a lot of lives ( “choose life”) and it’s very short, temporary.
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