Shi’ite Iraqi Islamic scholar Hadi Al-Modarresi thought that the Wuhan Virus was divine and a tool by which God was smiting his enemies. He thought he would sit back as all of his beliefs were proven right as the virus swept across the lands of heathens. He thought he’d go untouched. He thought wrong. According Read more
Posts Tagged ‘COVID-19’
Dublin cancels St. Patrick’s parade after advice from health officials
Thursday, March 12th, 2020Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has been cancelled due to fears over the spread of coronavirus. Authorities had initially insisted that the festivities — which mark St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland in 432 — would go ahead, but bowed to pressure from doctors March 9 and announced the cancellation. Read more
Here’s what our family has learned under self-quarantine
Thursday, March 12th, 2020
Last week, I was following the news about the coronavirus, trying to make sense of what I was reading and to figure out what exactly my family needed to do to prepare. This week, life changed a bit. My husband and I found out that two of my children had been exposed to the virus, Read more
Secret Masses during coronavirus ban
Thursday, March 12th, 2020
Secret Masses are being celebrated in northern Italy during the coronavirus crisis. Some churches are closed in response to edicts from the bishops, some are open although Mass is suspended, some are hosting Masses not intended for “the people,” although visitors may stay. The coronavirus situation has fired-up critics of the bishops’ with some Catholics Read more
Coronavirus: Pope tells priests to meet infected patients as he avoids crowds
Thursday, March 12th, 2020Pope Francis has encouraged priests to go out and ‘meet the coronavirus sick’ as he avoids crowds amid an outbreak that has killed more than 4,000 people. The 83-year-old pontiff has come down with a cold and cancelled appearances at the Vatican to avoid interacting with worshippers during the crisis. His message came after a Read more
Responding to Coronavirus depends on religious outlook
Monday, March 9th, 2020
More than 40 years of research on the psychology of surviving disasters has found that religion can be a valuable resource in fostering resilience. While religion is generally connected to positive outcomes, studies of people’s reactions to the Ebola outbreak and the Syrian refugee crisis show that some forms of religiosity may be less healthy Read more
Pope feels caged in by coronavirus
Monday, March 9th, 2020
Pope Francis said he felt “caged” when he made his Sunday blessing over the internet from inside the Vatican instead of from a window on Sunday. “It’s a bit strange this Angelus prayer today with the pope caged in the library, but I see you, and I am close to you,” he said. This is Read more
Sharing chalice at Mass a minimal risk
Monday, March 9th, 2020
The Catholic Church in New Zealand has not as yet prohibited sharing the chalice and sharing a handshake at the sign of peace at Mass. “Should there be a need for restrictions on receiving Communion or the exchange of the Sign of Peace, these will be immediately notified to parishes throughout the country,” said the Read more
COVID-19: Pope’s NZ ambassador self-isolates
Thursday, March 5th, 2020
Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, the apostolic nuncio to New Zealand, has self-isolated after a recent trip to Italy. His move is in line with guidance from New Zealand authorities to help prevent the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. On 2 March the New Zeland Government recommended that people who have been in northern Italy or the Republic Read more