ARQUIDIOCESE DE SÃO PAULO – Comunicado sobre a suspensão temporária de Celebrações Religiosas

/0 Commenti/in , , /da

Tendo em vista a grave crise sanitária provocada pela disseminação do “novo Coronavírus”, determino, em função do cânon 87§1 do Código de Direito Canônico, a suspensão de todas as celebrações e eventos religiosos com a participação de povo, da Igreja Católica na Arquidiocese de São Paulo, a partir do dia 21 de março de 2020 e até decisão ou orientação diversa.

Determino que esta COMUNICAÇÃO seja impressa e afixada nas portas das igrejas. Exorto a todos que sigam conscienciosamente as orientações das Autoridades sanitárias para evitar a difusão da COVID-19 e colaborem com grande caridade cristã e solidariedade humana na preservação da saúde e no cuidado dos enfermos. A vida é dom precioso de Deus e requer o compromisso fraterno de todos.

Exorto os sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosos e todos os colaboradores de nossas comunidades eclesiais a que não deixem de prestar assistência e conforto religioso e espiritual ao povo, especialmente aos enfermos, nos modos possíveis nesta hora de angústia e incerteza. Os Padres celebrem em privado pelo povo nos horários costumeiros e procurem manter o contato com suas comunidades através das mídias, transmitindo também as celebrações ao povo pelas mesmas mídias.

Exorto os fiéis a acompanharem, em suas residências, as celebrações e atos religiosos transmitidos pelos vários Meios de Comunicação Social. Peçamos juntos, com fé e perseverança, que Deus tenha misericórdia de seu povo, livrando-nos de toda doença e angústia. Estejam certos de que o Arcebispo os acompanha com sua preocupação e carinho e reza por todos cada dia. Deus os abençoe e guarde no seu amor.

São Paulo, 21 de março de 2020

Cardeal Odilo Pedro Scherer
Arcebispo de São Paulo

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

/0 Commenti/in , , /da

March 13, 2020

WASHINGTON – Earlier today, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued a reflection and prayer on Coronavirus (COVID-19). His statement is part of the USCCB’s ongoing engagement on the issue over the last several weeks.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued a statement encouraging lawmakers to consider measures providing relief and aid to those suffering from COVID-19, those affected by workplace closures and other disruptions, and prayers for those suffering from the virus and for healthcare providers.

In response to news of progression of COVID-19 outbreaks in other parts of the world, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued a statement with Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Health Association of the United States that addressed the Catholic response to the outbreak.

The faithful are encouraged to consult their local (arch)diocese or (arch)eparchy as to local directives on the celebration of the sacraments. The USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship has shared helpful considerations with the U.S. bishops regarding their role in regulating liturgical celebrations as they make decisions for their respective dioceses in the wake of growing public health concerns.

The considerations include: reminding parishes to use common sense hygiene practices; reminding Catholics that they are not obligated to attend Mass if they are sick; reminding bishops that they may suspend the distribution of Holy Communion by the chalice (cup), and suspend physical contact at the sign of peace; and that in more serious circumstances, they may suspend public liturgical celebrations.

The USCCB, as well as the Confraternity on Christian Doctrine (CCD) and the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), have waived permission requirements for prayers and readings in both English and Spanish to allow dioceses to livestream Masses during this time as social distancing measures are implemented.

Germany. Bishop Heiner Wilmer: “The idea of coronavirus as God’s punishment is un-Christian”

/0 Commenti/in , /da
Featured Image

https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/german-bishop-idea-of-coronavirus-as-gods-punishment-is-terrible…un-christian

Pontifical Academy for Life – Note on the Covid-19 Emergency: “Pandemic and Universal Brotherhood”

/0 Commenti/in , /da
Download the documentDownload

INDIA – Letter from “Christian Coalition for Health” to PM Modi

/0 Commenti/in , , /da
lettera-coalition-of-christian-healthcare-networks-of-india-al-premier-su-coronavirusDownload

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: Closing churches is the right thing to do to save lives

/0 Commenti/in , , /da

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has sent us a message after the Prime Minister’s historic announcement last night (23 March) strengthening restrictions in an attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Italy, A Letter to Episcopal Conference by the Ministry of Interior about religious ceremonies

/0 Commenti/in , , /da

Link to Minister of the Interior website: https://www.interno.gov.it/it/notizie/chiese-aperte-funzioni-religiose-ma-senza-partecipazione-dei-fedeli?fbclid=IwAR2wCielZOGaUmrbwC_NrTSbmj0IgktlQU6orSKhQu8LqRZDDGrF7wT27Dw

Download the document here: https://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/allegati/specifiche-chiese.pdf

Priests in India face charges for breaking COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings

/0 Commenti/in , , /da

Source: https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia/2020/03/priests-in-india-face-charges-for-breaking-covid-19-restrictions-on-mass-gatherings/

MUMBAI, India – A Catholic priest in India has been arrested after breaking coronavirus restrictions by organizing a prayer meeting in the state of Kerala.

Father P. Pauly was taken into custody on Monday by Kerat police after an early morning prayer session at the Kudapuzha Nithyasahaya Matha Church at Chalakudy, near Kochi.

“It was for violating the guidelines that is in place. He will be given bail,” an official told Daijiworld.

The police are also planning to register cases against 100 people who attended the morning prayers.

On March 19, two other priests were charged after celebrating public Mass after religious services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had taken all precaution before conducting the Mass, which was part of the church’s feast. We had cancelled the celebrations and was conducting the Mass,” Father Thomas Pattamkulam told the New Indian Express.

The priests could face six months in jail and a monetary fine for violating the restrictions.

INDICATIONS FOR THE PASCHAL CELEBRATIONS in the EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCHES

/0 Commenti/in , , /da

25 March 2020

INDICATIONS FOR THE PASCHAL CELEBRATIONS

in the EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCHES

Considering the rapid evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, including in many countries where faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches live, the Congregation for the Eastern Churches invites the Heads of all the Churches sui iuris to issue norms in accordance with the measures established by the civil authorities for the containment of the contagion and to encourage such conduct with the other Christian Churches, Catholic and non-Catholic, present on the same territory.

Considering the different ritual traditions and the Easter celebrations according to their respective calendars, it is not possible to issue a unitary provision that would cover all the uses present in each Church sui iuris.


Nevertheless, it seems appropriate to share the following recommendations:

– The feasts are strictly to be kept on the days foreseen by the liturgical calendar, broadcasting or streaming those celebrations that are possible, so that they can be followed by the faithful in their homes.

– Consideration should be given to the adaptations that will be made necessary by limited presence at the liturgical service. The participation of the choir and ministers expected by some ritual traditions is not possible at the present time when prudence advises avoiding gathering in significant numbers.

– Those parts of the celebrations connected to some rite outside the church are omitted.

– Remind the faithful of the value of personal and family prayer, which is authentic ecclesial prayer and an important means of transmitting the content of the faith between generations. Also arrange, and distribute through the means of social communication, aids that allow an adult of the family to explain to the little ones the mystagogy of the rites that under normal conditions would be celebrated in the church with the assembly present.

– The riches of the Paschal celebrations, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, can also be valorised by suggesting that part of them be prayed at home and in families, with the aids to participation that are usually made available in each community every year.

– Priests who cannot celebrate the liturgy on their own pray the hours of the office, especially the psalms and those prayers that do not require a response from the choir and the faithful.

– On Holy Thursday, in the liturgical celebration of the morning, some Churches sui iuris celebrate the consecration of the Holy Myron. This celebration, not being linked in the East to this day, can be moved to another date.

– On Good Friday, encourage use – alone or with the family – of the precious texts that the oriental traditions present on this day for prayer around the Cross and the tomb of Christ.

– On the night of Pascha, families may be invited, where possible through the festive sound of the bells, to gather to read the Gospel of the Resurrection, lighting a lamp and singing some troparion or songs typical of their tradition that the faithful often know by memory.

– Any baptisms scheduled for Easter are postponed to another date.

– The provisions issued by the March 19 decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary remain valid. Since many faithful are accustomed to confessing in the period before Easter, where it is not possible to do so, let pastors indicate to the faithful the recitation of some of the rich penitential prayers from the oriental tradition, to be recited with a spirit of contrition.

Sincerely yours,

✠ Leonardo Card. Sandri
Prefetto

Don Flavio Pace
Sotto-Segretario