Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, Wis., has openly disagreed with local government’s pandemic advisory of limiting the number of congregants at Masses as interfering with “our pastoral mission.”
Sacraments
Posted inFaith
Social distancing and the sacraments: How the coronavirus pandemic has changed our sense of communion
What that community looks like these days has changed, most notably in the inability to gather to celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Posted inFaith, The Good Word
We are in a sacramental desert, but we can still perceive the Holy Spirit
Is God leading us into a desert, a sacramental wilderness because here he intends to speak to our hearts?
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
A soon-to-be Catholic’s coronavirus purgatory
I was supposed to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil this year. But, like catechumens across the country, my journey was put on hold by the pandemic.
Posted inFaith, Jesuitical
What it’s like for priests to anoint patients dying from Covid-19
A conversation with Father Michael Trail, a member of Chicago’s task force of ‘priest-anointers’
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: Phyllis Zagano makes the case for women deacons
While Phyllis Zagano thoughtfully draws out the theological implications of her research, her main point is historical: There is simply no precedent on which to base the exclusion of women from the diaconate in the Catholic Church.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Italian bishops in talks with government on post-lockdown liturgies
The church and government in Italy are making plans which would allow for the gradual–though limited–resumption of public Masses and funerals.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope says living faith without sacraments, community is dangerous
In his homily during morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, Pope Francis warned against “detachment” from the sacraments, the church, and each other, saying that it was “dangerous.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
New Mexico bishop to allow public Masses with restrictions
Bishop Peter Baldacchino of Las Cruces, New Mexico is reversing his previous decision to ban public Masses due to the coronavirus pandemic and will allow Masses to resume, with restrictions.
Posted inFaith, News
What are dioceses doing about priestly ordinations amid coronavirus crisis?
With spring priestly ordinations just around the corner, many dioceses around the U.S. anticipate that state pandemic-related lockdown measures will extend into May and are pushing back their plans, while others are still weighing their options.