Posted on 03/14/2020 2:19:20 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
Pope Francis on Friday reversed a decision to close all the Catholic churches in Rome amid Italy's coronavirus outbreak.
The pope on Thursday had made the decision to close all churches to prevent the disease's further spread. But after further conversation about the matter, he decided that leaving churches closed would pose the spiritual risk of making people "feel more isolated." Priests in Rome are now advised to discern for themselves whether or not to remain open.
"Be very close to the people of God, make each one feel loved and accompanied, help everyone to perceive that the Church does not close the doors to anyone, but that she worries that no 'little' person risks life or is forgotten," Cardinal Angelo De Donatis wrote in a letter to priests in Rome. "Also bring, with all the necessary precautions, the comfort of the sacraments to the sick, ensure the help for the needs of the poor and those who have no one to rely on, avoid all those situations of contact between people who can create a danger to health."
The letter came only hours after Francis said in a Friday homily directed at pastors that they should not take "drastic measures" to combat the threat of the coronavirus.
"Let's pray for this, that the Holy Spirit may give to pastors the ability for pastoral discernment so that they might provide measures which do not leave the holy, faithful people of God alone, and so that the people of God will feel accompanied by their pastors, comforted by the Word of God, by the sacraments, and by prayer," Francis said.
Italy has nearly 12,500 cases of coronavirus, and the country of 60 million people is on a nationwide lockdown. The country has the most cases of the virus in Europe.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
Our most recent Communion was Sunday before last (Presby). Several Elders tore the bread, passed the morsel to the lines up folks who then dipped it in the wine (grape juice) and ate it while walking back to be seated. Tomorrow will be 14 days and no symptoms yet. That will be the last Communion I do for awhile. God will forgive me.
The sign of peace varies in different countries. In Japan you bow to each other, in India it is akin to a namaste.
Our diocese closed down all activities EXCEPT for mass.
I had to send out an email to our shawl group explaining why we won’t meet this Weds.
About 20 people....I ended it....
“meanwhile, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and stop breathing.”
I couldn’t help myself.
Many responded that they loved it.
Admitting one’s mistakes is the foundation of humility. Humility is the opposing virtue to pride.
Ft Worth Bishop - cautions but doesn’t stop Masses
Dallas Bishop - Stops all Masses to end of month
Tyler Bishop - cautions but doesn’t stop Masses - ALSO calls for all the priests to have Eucharistic processions around their churches “for repentance, Christ’s healing hand on the Coronavirus & that all men may be Godly, manly sons & disciples of His Son Jesus Christ.”
Like Pope St Gregory the Great did in response to the plague around 600AD.
A building may close, but worship of God continues.
A sermon may not be prepared, but the Word of God continues.
Handshakes with one another may not continue, but we have fellowship with Him.
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20 NASB
Friend, your sins are already forgiven if you have faith in Christ.
There is no requirement on how often you partake of Communion.
It is not a sin to miss Communion for a while.
Thank you.
To be honest, after the very same service, we were walking around, shaking hands, laughing about the “spread” of the virus. Pure, foolish male bravado. I’ll be communicating frequently with God over the next weeks and months, asking for his help and guidance...as many others will also be doing.
Stay safe!
I agree with you—he could and should film himself preaching alone and then offer mass. Families can watch and drink the wine and eat the bread in their homes. All Catholics could do this worldwide over the next few months.
Is Vatican being controlled by that south Korea cult church?
Is Vatican being controlled by that south Korea cult church?
Hmmmm.
The Sign of Peace does not continue in the congregation. We are advised not to shake hands, hold hands during the Lord’s Prayer.
Communion with the host only. It contains the full body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Blood of Christ from the chalice has been temporarily discontinued.
Could be part of God’s plan to free us from slavery to ritual and buildings. Maybe now is the time to turn to him on our own, if we haven’t done so.
Just as it may be good for families to be together, parents with children.
Yes. There’s a movement in the US to move from big megachurches (which cost way too much in real estate) to small home churches with an excellent pastor streaming online. No real estate costs when church is held in homes or in parks or restaurants. The movement was happening anyway; now it will accelerate.
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