杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

The Diocese of Rome acted quickly to allow some churches in the city to remain open, one day after an initial decision had been made to close places of worship to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Covid-19.

On Friday morning, 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed 鈥渢hat the Holy Spirit might grant pastoral discernment to pastors so that they might perceive measures that might not leave the holy, faithful people of God alone, and so that the people of God might feel accompanied by their pastors鈥�. With the Holy Father鈥檚 agreement, the Cardinal Vicar, Angelo De Donatis, exercising pastoral discernment and wishing to avoid disorientation or confusion to the faithful, issued a new decree allowing parish churches, and some other equivalent pastoral missions, to remain open for private prayer.

In a letter to the faithful of the Diocese, Cardinal De Donatis explained that the decision to close the churches of Rome had not been made out of 鈥渋rrational fear, or worse, a pragmatism devoid of hope鈥�, but as a means of preventing contagion. However, he explained, there is also a need to ensure that people do not feel even more isolated, prompting the revised pastoral provisions.

Cardinal De Donatis said the Church is relying on the 鈥渨ise discernment鈥� of priests. 鈥淏e very close to the people of God鈥�, he urged them. 鈥淢ake sure that every person feels loved and accompanied, help everyone to perceive that the Church does not close its doors to anyone, but is concerned that none of the 鈥榣ittle ones鈥� should risk their lives or be forgotten鈥�. He encouraged them to bring 鈥渢he comfort of the sacraments鈥� to those who are ill and to ensure the help necessary for the poor, while taking every possible precaution to avoid anything that could endanger the health of others.

Cardinal De Donatis also encouraged prayer in the family, maintaining 鈥渢he tradition of our parents and grandparents鈥�.  

The Cardinal Vicar concluded his letter by calling on all the faithful of the diocese to entrust themselves once more to Our Lady of Divine Love, the Madonna del Divino Amore.