Pope Francis urges “prudence and obedience” to pandemic protocols
Two days after Italian Bishops complained that government officials did not include the resumption of Masses with the faithful present as part of a reopening plan for the country, Pope Francis has encouraged “prudence and obedience” to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The phased reopening will commence on the 4th of May.
On Monday, Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced plans to ease some restrictions imposed seven weeks ago, the BBC reported. While the easing of the restrictions will allow people to start visiting their relatives in small numbers as well as enabling the reopening of places like parks and factories, a ban on church services with the public present, was kept in place, angering the bishops.
“It should be clear to all that the commitment to serving the poor, [which is] so significant in this emergency, stems from a faith that must be nourished at its source, especially the sacramental life,” the Bishops argued. Conte’s office noted that they were working on protocols to allow the resumption of liturgical services as soon as possible but “in conditions of maximum security.”
“At this time, when indications have been given to exit out of quarantine, we pray the Lord will grant to his people, all of us, the grace of prudence and obedience to these indications, so that the pandemic does not return,” Pope Francis declared.
Source: christianpost.com
