CBCP MARCH 30 - APRIL 12, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 7 [email protected] Pope Francis holds the monstrance as he delivers his extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) during a prayer service in the portico of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican March 27, 2020. The service was livestreamed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. CNS/VATICAN MEDIA Church focuses on poor during Covid-19 lockdown By Roy Lagarde have been devastating for the poor even as they struggle with a potential The Catholic Church Covid-19 health crisis. “There are many brothers and is doing what it can to sisters of ours who are affected provide relief for millions financially by the long quarantine,” of poor Filipinos affected said Archbishop Romulo Valles, the by the lockdown placed president of the bishops’ conference. by the government to Various parishes, religious stop the spread of the congregations and church organizations have been doing coronavirus. their bit to make sure the poor will President Rodrigo Duterte on not go hungry. March 16 asked for understanding Many of them have also stepped in as he placed the entire Luzon region to help and feed the frontliners who under a month-long lockdown, are working tirelessly to contain the but said “stricter measures are Covid-19. necessary”. In Metro Manila, several Catholic As the number of positive tests schools and parishes opened their continue to rise everyday, more doors as temporary shelters for the local governments across the homeless and medical frontliners in country also enhanced quarantine the battle against the disease. measures. “There are now more parishes Health officials have confirmed and religious houses opening their about 2,311 cases of coronavirus facilities,” said Bishop Broderick as of April 1, including at least 96 Pabillo, the apostolic administrator deaths. of Manila. The San Isidro Labrador Parish in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City sets up a “drive thru” system as a way of distributing food to the needy while observing The lockdowns, the Church said, Poor / A6 “social distancing” amid coronavirus concerns, March 20. PHOTO FROM FR. GILBERT BILLENA, O. CARM. As lockdown continues, faithful may Vatican approves special ‘Mass in the Time of Pandemic’ send prayer requests online THE The Vatican has asked priests do not believe in God; those in public pandemic; relieve the pain of the sick, around the world to recite a new prayer office; and those in special need. give strength to those who care for during this year’s Good Friday liturgy, The new prayer is titled “For the them, welcome into your peace those and urged them to offer Masses for the afflicted in time of pandemic”. It who have died and, throughout this end of the coronavirus pandemic. begins with the priest saying: “Let us time of tribulation, grant that we may The Congregation for Divine pray also for all those who suffer the all find comfort in your merciful love. Worship issued the new intention for consequences of the current pandemic, Through Christ our Lord. Amen.” the Solemn Intercessions during the that God the Father may grant health The new prayer was presented with Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in to the sick, strength to those who care a decree signed by the congregation’s light of the coronavirus pandemic. for them, comfort to families and prefect, Cardinal Robert Sarah, and its The Solemn Intercessions, which salvation to all the victims who have secretary, Archbishop Arthur Roche. are derived from ancient prayers, are died.” The decree, dated March 30, said: recited on Good Friday for various After a moment of silent prayer, “The Celebration of the Passion of the categories of people. They include the the priest continues: “Almighty ever- Lord on Good Friday this year has a With public masses still suspended, the CBCP Media has opened an online portal, pope; bishops, priests and deacons; living God, only support of our human particular significance because of the where Catholics can send their Mass intention requests. CBCPNEWS the faithful; catechumens, other weakness, look with compassion terrible pandemic that has stricken the Christians; the Jewish people; those upon the sorrowful condition of your whole world. WONDERING where to technology for our pastoral who do not believe in Christ; those who children who suffer because of this Pandemic / A6 request Mass intentions concerns and liturgical as lockdown continues in celebrations,” he said. Filipina nun dies of Covid-19 in Spain Luzon and other parts of the To request for Mass San Carlos bishop joins calls for country? intentions, CBCP News coronavirus mass testing A FILIPINA Benedictine The Media Office of the has provided a form on its nun has succumbed to Catholic Bishops, Conference website that may be used for A CATHOLIC bishop has crucial role of mass testing,” coronavirus in Spain, her of the Philippines (CBCP) has such purpose. joined the calls for mass Alminaza said in March 24 congregation reported on created an online platform Msgr. Quitorio said they testing for coronavirus in the statement. March 28. on Friday to accept request will then ask priests to Philippines, as some analysts He stressed that Singapore, Sr. Maria Gratia Balagot, for prayers. say Mass online for their warned 26,000 people in South Korea and Japan were who was the superior of their Its director, Msgr Pedro intentions. the country are likely to be able to stem the spread of community in India, was only Quitorio, said the faithful Though partially, CBCP infected by end of March. Covid-19 because of their visiting Spain to renew her may now request for prayers News has also listed the Bishop Gerardo Alminaza fast, efficient and effective visa when she was infected through the website of CBCP “online Masses” offered in of San Carlos agreed with testing systems. with Covid-19. News, the news service of the different dioceses throughout a group of scientists that “We also wish to stress “And while there, (she) bishops’ conference. the country—as public the widespread testing is openness and transparency contracted the virus,” “Amid the Covid-19 crisis, Masses remain suspended “crucial” in containing the on the part of the government, the US-based Missionary we are encouraged to make due to coronavirus. (CBCP transmission of the virus. which were key in the Benedictine Sisters – Norfolk good use of the digital News) “We wish to emphasize the Mass Testing / A6 Sr. Maria Gratia Balagot Nun / A6 A2 WORLD NEWS March 30 - April 12, 2020, Vol 24, No. 7 CBCP Monitor Vatican Briefing How CRS is helping refugees Vatican flags at half-staff in solidarity with coronavirus victims amid coronavirus Vatican flags are flying at half-staff on March 31 in solidarity with the victims of the coronavirus in Italy and worldwide. “Today, in solidarity with Italy, the Holy See will display flags at half-mast in mourning to express its closeness to the victims of the pandemic in Italy and in the world, to their families, and to all those who generously struggle for its end,” Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told journalists March 31. Pope Francis met with the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the Vatican the day prior as the Italian government attempts to confront an outbreak which has led Italy to have the highest number of coronavirus mortalities in the world. (Courtney Mares/CNA) As people are ordered to stay home, pope calls for help for homeless As national and local governments have been issuing stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Pope Francis asked people to pray for and assist those who are homeless. He offered his morning Mass March 31 for those who are homeless “at a time when people are asked to stay at home.” At the start of a livestreamed Mass from the chapel of his residence, the pope prayed that people become aware of all those who lack shelter and housing and help them and that the church would “welcome them.” (Carol Glatz/CNS) Vatican publishes document on right to water access Access to clean water is an essential human A Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. Credit: DFID (CC BY 2.0). right that must be defended and protected, the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human DHAKA, Bangladesh— There are living in really tight quarters,” Bennan partners, has been providing hygiene Development said in a new document. Defending the nearly 700,000 refugees living in said. and sanitation supplies to the camps, as right to clean water is part of the Catholic Church’s close quarters in the world’s largest Many countries have adopted stay-at- well as training and materials for local promotion of the common good, “not some particular refugee settlements in Bangladesh, home orders and strict social distancing health institutions. making them vulnerable as the measures in response to the virus. For One of the biggest priorities, national agenda,” the dicastery said, calling for “a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the Rohingya refugee population in Brennan said, is simply communicating management of water so as to ensure universal and spreads. Bangladesh, Brennan said, and in many information about how to protect sustainable access to it for the future of life, the Caroline Brennan, Catholc Relief other areas where refugees are, it can be oneself from the virus, but doing so in planet and the human community.” The 46-page Services’ emergency communications almost impossible for people to distance the camps in a safe way. document, titled “Aqua Fons Vitae: Orientations on director, told CNA that in areas where themselves from others in this way.