Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Catholic Church

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A man wearing purple vestments and standing at an altar uses a mobile phone camera to record himself. Empty pews are visible in the background.
An American military chaplain prepares for a live-streamed service in an empty chapel at Offutt Air Force Base in March 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted liturgical celebrations of the Catholic Church worldwide. The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) stated that the pandemic has not become "just a medical, social and economic problem, but also a pastoral problem", which leaded ACN to start encouraging a special program for the actions of priests and religious against the virus spread.[1]

All over the world, many churches have suspended the presence of the faithful in their Masses, and resorted to virtual services for broadcasting the celebrations, such as live streaming or other ones, like television and radio.[2][3] The Vatican announced that the Holy Week celebrations in Rome, which take place at the end of Lent — Christian penitential period —, would be canceled. The Diocese of Rome closed its churches and chapels, the St. Peter's Square was empty of believers, while other dioceses, such as the Archdiocese of New York, although they canceled the masses, their churches remained open for prayer.[4] In Spain, many cities have canceled their Holy Week festivities. This event is usually celebrated with parades and significant collections with tourism; in Seville, it was the first time that events were canceled since 1933.[5] Due to the interruption of several Catholic religious activities (if not their totality), Pope Francis greatly encouraged the prayer of the Holy Rosary.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ajuda da ACN durante pandemia". Aid to the Church in Need. 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  2. ^ "Arquidioceses e dioceses suspendem atividades por conta do coronavírus". Canção Nova Notícias. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  3. ^ Parke, Caleb (2020-03-13). "Churches cancel Sunday service, move online amid coronavirus outbreak". Fox News. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  4. ^ Burke, Daniel (2020-03-14). "What churches, mosques and temples are doing to fight the spread of coronavirus". CNN. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  5. ^ Saiz, Eva (2020-03-14). "Sevilla suspende su Semana Santa por el coronavirus". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  6. ^ "Coronavirus, COVID-19: Catholic church masses suspended in diocese". Wellington Times. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2020-08-12.


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