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Priests Arrested for Public Mass Celebrations During Coronavirus Shutdowns
Catholic News Agency ^ | 3/30/20

Posted on 03/30/2020 5:49:38 PM PDT by marshmallow

CNA Staff, Mar 30, 2020 / 02:45 pm (CNA).- Amid lockdowns responding to the coronavirus pandemic, at least three priests were arrested Sunday for celebrating Mass publicly, in alleged defiance of government orders banning religious gatherings during the pandemic.

In Uganda, Fr. Deogratius Kiibi Kateregga was arrested March 29 for celebrating Mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Mpigi, Uganda. There were reportedly at least 15 Catholics in attendance at the Mass.

The priest is well-known in Uganda, and came to national notoriety after a televised 2018 sermon at the memorial Mass for a Ugandan musician, Mowzey Radio, who died from injuries sustained in a bar fight.

Local officials said the priest was arrested along with seven other Catholics and was detained at the Mpigi police station.

“He was found preaching in the church in contravention of the presidential directives,” said Herbert Nuwagaba, the Mpigi District Police Commander.

“We want him to tell us why he is doing this," Godfrey Matovu, the Mpigi District Internal Security Officer, told the Daily Monitor.

The priest was released after parishioners protested on his behalf at the police station, according to local media reports.

On March 18, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni suspended religious and cultural gatherings for at least 32 days in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. Uganda currently has 30 cases of the coronavirus.

In India’s Kerala state, two priests, two seminarians, and three religious sisters were charged with violating government orders after a Mass celebrated in a chapel at the minor seminary of the Congregation of Missionaries of Faith in the Wayanad district of Kerala.

All seven were released after their arrest, according to UCA News, with a warning not to repeat their actions.

Father Manoj Kakkonal, a spokesman for the Mananthavady diocese, told UCA News that the arrest.......

(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Ministry/Outreach; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: africa; uganda

1 posted on 03/30/2020 5:49:38 PM PDT by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow

Uganda: 40 million people. 30 cases. But they are all going to die if 15 Catholics gather for Mass, even if none of them has been infected with the virus.


2 posted on 03/30/2020 5:57:07 PM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: marshmallow; ebb tide; Mrs. Don-o; lightman

Sigh. Ping.


3 posted on 03/30/2020 5:57:35 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: marshmallow; Al Hitan; Coleus; DuncanWaring; Fedora; irishjuggler; Jaded; JoeFromSidney; kalee; ...
Ping

Police show up after Mass, warn Canadian priest of fines for breaking COVID-19 orders

4 posted on 03/30/2020 6:03:24 PM PDT by ebb tide (We have a rogue curia in Rome.)
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To: ebb tide

Thought u were talking’ bout’ pedophelia.


5 posted on 03/30/2020 6:07:54 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

REPENT!


6 posted on 03/30/2020 6:10:40 PM PDT by frogjerk (We are conservatives. Not libertarians, not "fiscal conservatives", not moderates)
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