We speak to the former president of the young Catholics of India. The uncertainty of daily life, the impossibility of going out, concerns ahead of Holy Week. Online Masses a good development, but "we need to rediscover the dimension of personal prayer".
Bishops and clergymen organise their services on Facebook and YouTube. Capuchin monk notes that only churches are closed; families are united in prayer. Panaflex boards are placed at the doors of Karachi churches. Bangladeshi authorities postpone school exams.
On Flores Island, Semana Santa events have been cancelled. Health takes priority over traditions. The Indonesian government is struggling to cope with the crisis. In Jakarta Catholics hand out soup and other food to the needy.
The statement by the member of the International Olympic Committee comes after the withdrawal of Canada and Australia, and requests for postponement by the USA and Great Britain. 93% of American athletes don't want to compete. Beijing is waiting for an official communication. Japan is expected to lose 6 billion euros. Despite bad news, the Tokyo stock exchange soars.
The St Catherine of Siena facility is home to 75 poor children without parents, aged 5 to 18. Because of the outbreak, a skeleton staff of three cares for them. A mobile medical clinic visits every week. The children enjoy a plant-based diet, games and study.
China’s Orwellian experiment to fight the virus is working at home, but cannot be replicated in Europe or the United States. Except for Italy and Spain, no major western country is praising China’s fight against the pandemic.
Success against the infection will improve the international image of the "rebel province". When the virus first appeared in Wuhan, Taiwan immediately imposed health controls and closed the borders with China. It put to good use the lessons it learnt from the SARS crisis. Citizens have been widely informed about how to stop the contagion. Doubts remain about its possible membership in the WHO.
The detainees were between 25 and 32 years old. The death sentence was carried out a few hours after the last rejection on appeal by the Supreme Court. A religious sister, also a raper victim: “Crimes against women are the most hateful and must be punished, but not with the death penalty. I am not seeking revenge, only justice ".
The Catholic organisation suspends all its activities to prevent contagion. Pakistan has 302 confirmed cases. In Punjab, university hostels have been turned into quarantine centres. Church calls for prayers for the sick and “for the discovery of an effective vaccine”.
The ceremony took place this morning amid precautions against the coronavirus. Church leaders have been criticised for ignoring guidelines and not showing empathy towards a frightened population. An Islamic meeting was cancelled yesterday. Archbishop Olla notes that the number of participants was reduced from 7,000 to 1,500.
The Shanti Daan house in Mumbai hosts 175 people. Missionaries care for poor people who die on the streets, on sidewalks, along sewer drains, at bus stops, at train stations and in public places. For them, a coronavirus patient who knocks on the door is like Jesus. The missionaries following government instruction so as not to put at risk their other residents.
Prayers are offered for everyone affected by the contagion. Church is grateful towards the authorities and medical personnel. The country has reported 227 cases so far, with 19 deaths. Restrictions on internal movements and foreign arrivals have been imposed. Church activities have been limited whilst Mass is available online. Meanwhile, another danger looms: dengue fever.
The call also covers Hong Kong and Macao. New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal the newspapers affected. An attack on the "one country, two systems" principle. It’s an all-out clash between the two superpowers.
The “mission first of all sparks a process of transfiguration in us. If not, it would be just a job,” said Fr Giorgio Marengo. Mongolia has closed its borders and suspended schools. All pastoral activities are on hold. Masses, rosaries, youth education, and Lent catechesis are conducted via social media. The parish of Arvaiheer is conducting a survey to see how to improve its services.
About 25 labour protests have taken place this month. Some 233 million workers in small- and medium-sized enterprises are the most vulnerable to the effects of the epidemic crisis. Layoffs, non-payment of wages, high commercial rents are the main cause of protests. Taxi drivers demand the suspension of cab rental fees.
