Diego Ramirez, a single father in a rural village in southern Guatemala, worked in a restaurant and kept a chicken farm, selling the birds in a market to support his three daughters.
Catholic Church
Catholic Doctors Say Churches Essential, Offer ‘Road Map’ to Safely Reopen
A blue-ribbon panel of Catholic doctors from some of the nation’s top research hospitals and universities said churches should be able to reopen “as safely as other essential services,” after being shut down for more than two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. John Paul II Shrine’s Events Mark Pope’s 100th Birthday
St. Pope John Paul II, the longest reigning pope in modern history, was born May 18, 1920, and the national shrine in Washington dedicated to the pontiff will celebrate the centennial of his birth with a series of virtual events May 16-22.
Analysis: Italy’s Church Going Back to Business, But Not Business as Usual
As if Italy hasn’t been through enough since a sweeping national lockdown was imposed March 8, and with more than 30,000 Italians dead from the coronavirus, Romans awoke around 5:00 a.m. May 11 to an earthquake. A loud boom sent people into the streets in their pajamas under an early morning rain, temporarily forgetting their masks and gloves.
Analysis: Church/State Deal Means Mass Will Be Back in Italy on May 18
Exactly 70 days after public Mass was last celebrated in Italy, the Holy Father’s own backyard, the Italian bishops announced May 7 a deal with the government to resume the liturgy on Monday, May 18, which means the first Sunday Mass to be reopened will be May 24, which in Italy is the Feast of the Ascension.
Pope Prays Families Find Creative Ways to Keep the Peace Under Quarantine
Praying for families around the world who have been restricted to their homes because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis included mention of victims of domestic violence.
Church Life Expected to Reflect Safe Practices When Public Masses Resume
When public Masses and the celebration of the sacraments resume in dioceses where they were suspended, the look and feel of worship are not expected to be that which parishioners have been accustomed.
Cardinal Dolan Defends Himself After Letter Criticizing Him for Trump Call
More than 1,000 Catholics have signed an open letter in protest of Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s phone call with President Donald Trump and a follow-up interview on Fox News, labeling the president as “not pro-life.”
Georgetown Panel: COVID-19 Crisis Shows Need for Solidarity, Community
Addressing the world two weeks ago at the height of the global pandemic, Pope Francis paid tribute to the “forgotten people” – the grocery clerks, service industry workers, cleaners, and caregivers that are frequently overlooked yet are now keeping the world functioning.
Diocesan Churches to Ring Bells For Coronavirus Patients, Victims And Heroes
Beginning Friday, April 3, parishes in the Brooklyn Diocese with outdoor bells are being called to ring them every day at 3 p.m. as part of a new initiative known as “Bells of Hope.”