Concerns over the coronavirus pandemic have led the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend to suspend all public Catholic Mass services until further notice.
In a letter to the faith community, which you can read here, Bishop Kevin Rhoades says encourages worshipers to watch Mass on television or via online methods until the situation improves.
“Like many other dioceses throughout our country and world, I have made the difficult decision, along with the other bishops of Indiana, to suspend the celebration of public Masses in our diocese due to the escalation of the virus and to help prevent its spread,” Rhoades writes.
“In this time of ‘social isolation,’ let us not be isolated in our hearts from those
who need our love, care and compassion. I am very edified by so many of our faithful
who are bringing food to the elderly and staying in contact with those who may feel
lonely, anxious, or depressed during this time. Thank you to all who are doing corporal
and spiritual works of mercy in this Lenten season and offering assistance to those in
need during this pandemic.”
2 comments
Does the Bible change in difficult times? Didn’t think so; but the catholic church does!!!
Paul, Don’t agree with the way you said it, but in case it is news to you… Liberalism is rampant in the Catholic hierarchy and Liberalism just got a double bang for their buck for their fear mongering on this one… Tanked the economy and now Christianity, all because of a common flu virus. The precautions will slow the spread, and save some lives which makes it a noble reaction, but bottom line, There is no vaccine for this flu virus, social contact will spread it, since people with no symptoms can carry it. In the end sooner or later most everyone will be exposed to it, and those at highest risk will still die from it like any other flu in the past. So it is very sobering and sad. All these precautions will do is slow down the spread in hopes a vaccine can be found… but if you heard the latest any new vaccines have to be tested and won’t be available for many months to a year at best. By then the epidemic will run its course and be over. So once again, as nature has demonstrated in the past, the strong will survive with little issues, and we just pray for those who will be at greatest risk and be profoundly affected by this.