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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s assertion that churches and synagogues will be “permanently” closed if they refuse to obey a stay-at-home order banning large gatherings in light of the coronavirus pandemic has drawn the ire of national Christian leaders. At a March 27 press briefing, de Blasio singled out Christian and Jewish congregations and threatened that agents would shut down their houses of worship if they held in-person services. “A small number of religious communities, specific churches and specific synagogues are unfortunately not paying attention to this guidance even though it’s so widespread,” de Blasio said. The Democrat...

Texas Bishop Robert Coerver had declared that 'No priests are to make themselves available to hear Confessions'LUBBOCK, Texas, April 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Texas bishop today reversed his Sunday order banning priests from hearing confessions after the Governor of Texas deemed churches as “essential services” on Tuesday. “No priests are to make themselves available to hear Confessions,” Bishop Robert M. Coerver of Lubbock, Texas, had originally ordered priests within his diocese in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Coerver noted in an April 2 statement that Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday “with which we are to comply...

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom Nazi Concentration Camp Survivor

There is precedent in Scripture for godly people saying no to the governing authorities. There are times when, to use the words of Peter, “We must obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). Is today one of those times? One of the slogans of the American Revolution was, “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Is our government being tyrannical when it forbids us to gather? Is this the right time to rebel, despite the Bible’s clear teaching that, generally speaking, we are called to obey the authorities? (See Romans 13.) Let’s examine this from several angles. First, are local...

Many in America today are playing the "Christian" role while refusing to believe God's Word and the TRUE Gospel message (Matt. 7:13-23, Acts 4:12, Rom. 6:23, 10:2-4, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 2:8-9). No day throughout the year is as revealing as Palm Sunday! The very people who DO NOT want to hear the TRUE Gospel message all year long and despise the Bible will be getting their palms today and playing the hypocrite! For these will welcome Jesus gladly in their time schedule for an hour on Palm Sunday, a few days later on Good Wednesday; shout, " CRUCIFY HIM!...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) defended deeming churches as “essential” in his stay-at-home order, telling reporters during Thursday’s press conference that the government does not have the authority to close a church and adding that they play an important role, particularly “in times like this.” DeSantis formally issued a stay-at-home order on Wednesday after days of mounting pressure. The order is designed to “limit their [Floridians’] movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.” Essential activities include picking up groceries, going to doctor appointments, and, notably,...

Not Only Zen. Cardinal Bo Is Also Openly Attacking China Myanmar borders China and is economically dependent on it. But that has not kept the archbishop of the capital of Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, from openly criticizing the powerful neighbor.He has done so with a statement made public with great emphasis on April 2 on the website of his archdiocese.The statement is reproduced in full below. It is very severe and detailed in denouncing the Chinese regime's guilt in the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, with the effect that "lies and propaganda have put millions of lives around the...

Rome, Italy, Apr 2, 2020 / 08:30 am (CNA).- Poor countries are suffering from the coronavirus because of the Chinese Communist Party’s negligence and repression, a cardinal from Burma said Thursday. “The Chinese regime led by the all-powerful Xi Jinping and the CCP — not its people — owes us all an apology and compensation for the destruction it has caused,” Cardinal Muang Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, wrote in an op-ed published April 2 by UCA News. Cardinal Bo, who is head of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, denounced the Chinese regime Thursday for withholding information about the coronavirus...

A statement from the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Science fails to mention God.March 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A joint statement issued by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) on March 20 gives interesting insights into the priorities of the Vatican regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Under the heading “Responding to the Pandemic, Lessons for Future Actions and Changing Priorities,” the scientific bodies attached to the Catholic Church reveal much of their globalist mindset while remaining totally silent with regard to the Catholic faith. There is not a...

On March 18, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople announced the suspension of all Church services in all its dioceses throughout the world, although an exception was later made for clergy in America and other places to celebrate behind closed doors for the purpose of livestreaming. Originally lasting through March, this suspension has since been extended indefinitely. Constantinople has dioceses in Turkey, Greece, and in the diaspora throughout the world, but there is now an attempt to enforce this decision in Ukraine as well. Although the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is a self-ruling autonomous Church within the Moscow Patriarchate,...

In light of our national coronavirus epidemic, we see the national inconvenience placed on us and to some, it has brought out the worst of them and to some the best of them. But in light of all past catastrophic events, we today - in light of the coronavirus as Americans - still have many freedoms and liberties here in America to keep us content during this time; and there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. No doubt much good can be found in such times, however as time goes on and as pressures, resources,...

ts' been widely reported this week that at least two pastors have been arrested after holding church services in violation of government orders to avoid gathering in groups. Rodney Howard-Browne, pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, was arrested by sheriff's deputies for holding church this past Sunday. The county where the church is located issued an administrative order on March 20, banning "public or private gatherings, including community, civic, public leisure, faith-based events, sporting events, concerts, and any similar events that bring together more than 10 people in a single room, single space, or any venue, at the...

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP/VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE and AMERICA: Healthcare, Government, Family, Military, Business, Farmers, Sanctity of Life, Education, Churches, and the Media. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 JOHN 5:14Religion Forum Threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind.

The Archbishop of Miami on Wednesday strongly told his priests not to conduct any drive-by confessions, no palm pickups in front of church for Palm Sunday and no in-person Masses on Easter Sunday. “It is not prudent for parishes to plan any activity that would encourage people to leave their homes,” Archbishop Thomas Wenski wrote in a statement he delivered to his priests Wednesday morning. “Therefore, parishes are not to offer ‘drive-through’ palms, confessions or Holy Communion or any similar type of activity.” He said the activities would be curtailed over the next two weeks, including through Holy Week, which...

CENTRAL, La. (AP) — Buses and cars filled a Louisiana church parking lot for another service Tuesday evening as worshippers flocked to hear a Louisiana pastor who is facing misdemeanor charges for holding services despite a ban on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic. A few protesters turned out, too, including a man shouting through a bullhorn against those gathering at the Life Tabernacle Church in the city of Central, where pastor Tony Spell has been holding services. Another demonstrator held up a sign reading: "God don't like stupid." Afterward, people began leaving the church, some chatting outside the front doors,...

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – By order of Archbishop William Lori, priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore are forbidden from administering sacraments to the faithful unless “the individual is in danger of dying.” Funeral Masses have also been suspended. All churches of the archdiocese are now locked. “The instruction comes just days before the Catholic Church celebrates the holiest days in the Church year, Holy Week and Easter, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” the archdiocese’s announcement states, without a hint of irony. “Every parish is now a virtual church and will continue to use technology...

Scott Morrison has asked for 'prayers for Australians' in a leaked video posted on a Christian website in which he appears to compare himself to Moses. The Prime Minister, an evangelical Christian, led a heartfelt prayer for the nation, saying Australia could 'rely on and trust in God' during the coronavirus pandemic. As he began reciting verses from the Bible, Mr Morrison discussed the story of Moses as he compared it to trying to steer the government through the crisis. Speaking about national cabinet meetings, he said: 'There are decisions we're taking now, which is to extends the borders as...

Join Freepers throughout the world to pray for PRESIDENT TRUMP and VICE-PRESIDENT PENCE and for AMERICA: All Levels of Government, Family, Military, Business, Education, Churches, Health Care Systems and the Media. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. —1 John 5:14 Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind. Please join us in prayer for our nation as we grapple with coronavirus quarantine.

RIO DE JANEIRO - Like every Sunday, Brazilian Pastor Silas Malafaia took the stage of his Pentecostal temple in a middle-class Rio de Janeiro neighborhood. But this week, he wore a T-shirt instead of a blazer and, behind the three cameras broadcasting to his legion of YouTube followers, were thousands of empty seats. Brazil’s churches have landed on the front lines of a battle between state governors, who have introduced quarantine measures designed to contain spread of the new coronavirus, and President Jair Bolsonaro, who is actively undermining them and says a broad lockdown will ultimately destroy Brazil’s economy. Brazil’s...

ROME (CNS) -- While many churches in Italy remain open, visiting a church to pray is not a valid excuse for leaving one's home during Italy's COVID-19 lockdown, said a note from the Ministry for Internal Affairs. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti of Perugia, president of the Italian bishops' conference, had asked the government to clarify the lockdown rules and how they apply to the church and church services. People who want to pray in a church may do so only if "the church is situated along one's way" to or from a government-approved reason for leaving one's home: going to the...