DiReSoM

by Stefano Picciaredda
ertainty came on the eve of Holy Week. Covid 19 has not forgotten sub-Saharan Africa. For some time, it had been hoped for. Some continental peculiarities, such as climatic characteristics, the young age of the population, the presence of antibodies generated by other pandemics, had authorized optimistic forecasts. Instead, even without presenting itself with the exponential growth rates experienced in the northern hemisphere, the virus has crept in and began to claim victims in all countries south of the Sahara

by Maria d’Arienzo
As an emergency issue according to the contagion prevention, the doors of the churches remained locked, and when open, no public celebration have been admitted. Some States, for example Italy, have decided the suspension of all religious ceremonies, including funeral. Nevertheless, Masses have been celebrated sine populo, often live streamed by television and social media.

by Mustafa Yasan
The first case of COVID-19 Pandemic in the Republic of Turkey was detected on 10.03.2020 according to the official release of the Ministry of Health. The date of the first death due to the virus was 15.03.2020. The date of the preparation of this text is 25.04.2020. As of this date, the total number of cases of coronavirus is 107.773 while the total number of deaths is 2.706 according to the statements made by the Minister of Health, Fahrettin Koca.

by Caterina Gagliardi
The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting social distancing have revolutionized individual and collective life globally. In addition to affecting the economic and political dynamics of the countries involved, the socio-sanitary crisis has revealed a strong impact on the ‘spirituality’ of each individual and community. Believers of different faiths have been called to change their habits – especially of sharing the Word – and in some cases it has been impossible to observe the fundamental religious precepts.

by Vasco Fronzoni
The Italian Muslim communities have faced the challenge of contagion with a pragmatic spirit. As it known, Islam does not recognize universal leaders, and therefore chooses on the basis of the general reference principles, which in the case of epidemics refer to a hadith that prescribes «if you hear of a plague in a land do not enter it; and if it breaks out in the land where you stay, do not leave».

by Antonello De Oto
The Co-Principality of Andorra – this is its official name – is a small member state of the UN and the Council of Europe whose very first traces can be traced back to 819 A.C. but which will see a real start only with the Arbitration Convention of 1278 A.C., confirmed the following year at the time of the pontificate of Pope Martin IV.

by Matteo Carnì
The quick and aggressive outbreak from Covid-19 that spread across the planet did not spare Vatican City, the smallest State in the world created in 1929 to guarantee the Holy See “absolute independence for the fulfillment of His high mission in the world”.

by Antonino Mantineo
These tough quarantine days have driven us in a mood where the dominant feelings are sorrow, grief, and loneliness; they are giving us several occasions to find ourselves and to ponder over the effects of the pandemic on both our lives and our communities.

by Enrica Martinelli
The past week has truly been one of passion for the Orthodox ecumene, already marked by suffering due to the impossibility to participate in the celebrations of Holy Week due to the pandemic, but, even more so, being suspended in the anguished doubt as to the accomplishment of the miracle of the lighting of the “Sacred Fire”, the central fulcrum of the celebrations of Orthodox Easter, this year or perhaps especially this year.

by Vasco Fronzoni
Pakistan has adopted emergency lockdown and social distance rules to hinder the spread of the pandemic. Some regions such as Kasmir are less compromised while others such as Punjab have been more attacked by the contagion. The situation is constantly monitored on institutional websites (http://covid.gov.pk/stats/pakistan).