During this time of coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis is calling for prayers not only for our elected leaders who are dealing with the crisis, but also for religious who are trying to provide spiritual sustenance for their flocks.
Vatican offices will remain open to ensure "essential services for the universal church," but each office is being asked to evaluate the best ways to provide those services while observing health precautions and guidelines on safe distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Some bishops have suspended the public celebration of Mass in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Patrick O'Neill, a computational biologist, writes that all U.S. dioceses should do the same.
The production of chocolate still depends on millions of child laborers in Africa, writes Christie Klimas. Fortunately, both popular and premium brands are moving toward justice for cocoa farmers.
Archbishop Coakley asked legislators that special consideration be offered “those most vulnerable: the poor, the elderly, the homeless, those in prison or detention facilities, immigrants and refugees, and those with severe underlying health conditions.”
Diocesan leaders also asked people who are ill to refrain from attending Mass and have urged prayers for the recovery of those afflicted by the illness and for their family members and other caretakers.
As of March 11, dozens of Catholic college and university leaders had announced plans to cancel public classes and offer online education amid concern over the coronavirus' spread.