Churches aren’t necessary to practice our faith, a Catholic priest has told US president Donald Trump. Trump takes the opposite view to Fr Edward Beck, and says he considers houses of worship and their religious services essential. “The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to Read more
Priests and brothers of the Redemptorist community who live and work at a Houston parish have tested positive for coronavirus, leading the parish to close after having reopened earlier this month. Five out of seven members of the Redemptorist community at Holy Ghost parish tested positive for COVID-19 this weekend, according to a statement from Read more
Public Masses have resumed in Rome, 10 weeks after they were closed because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Although public worship is permitted, additional safety protocols have been instigated to ensure any remaining coronavirus infection does not continue to spread. “To receive Communion again as a family was the culmination of our every prayer and Read more
France’s religious gathering ban must be lifted within eight days, says the French Council of State. The Council is France’s highest administrative court. Currently, all gatherings in places of worship are banned except for funerals, which are limited to 20 people. After receiving many complaints, the Council ruled on Monday that the ban on religious Read more
Faith can prosper even when the only services available are online, a new Pew Research survey shows. Even though the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has seen places of worship in the United States – as elsewhere – close for several weeks, many have livestreamed their services online. In April this year the Pew Research Centre (via Read more
Two of New Zealand’s religious leaders agree that the progress made in getting on to of SARS-CoV-2 should not be put at risk. But they are asking the government to just let them know about any perceived weaknesses in the practice of religion so that they can fix them. The president of the New Zealand Read more
Pope Francis joined an inter-faith day of prayer on Thursday to call on God to end the coronavirus pandemic, brushing aside criticism from ultra-conservative Catholic groups, with one accusing him of associating with “infidels”. A multi-faith committee formed after the pope’s historic visit to the Arabian Peninsula last year came up with the proposal that Read more
The small Middle Eastern nation of Qatar now has one of the world’s most strict coronavirus restrictions. Those who go out in public without a face covering now face up to three years in prison and a fine of about $40,000. The Gulf country made the announcement on Qatar state TV this weekend. Authorities have Read more
While to a certain degree returning to “business as usual” will not likely happen, that does not mean the vast majority of humanity; those who hold most of the world’s wealth and power will not use every advantage at their deposal in trying to hold onto broken, corrupt, unjust systems – what St. Pope John Read more
Small groups gathering for scripture services could be a better option than public Masses until the pandemic has further subsided, says German bishop Heiner Wilmer. By gathering for scripture services, people will gain new experiences with new and familiar forms of praying together, says Wilmer. “I am convinced that these new and familiar forms of Read more