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Catholic News Agency
Six sisters from same Italian convent have died, as coronavirus spreads among religious orders
by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Mar 30, 2020 / 09:06 am (CNA).- Six sisters in one northern Italian convent have died of coronavirus, and nine sisters are being treated in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, according to Italian media. Coronavirus is spreading among several religious houses in Italy. …
Brooklyn pastor is first Catholic priest in US known to die of coronavirus
CNA Staff, Mar 27, 2020 / 10:21 pm (CNA).- A Brooklyn parish announced the death of its pastor, Fr. Jorge Ortiz-Garay, who died of coronavirus at approximately 6 p.m Friday evening. The priest is the first in the U.S. known to have died from the virus. Journalist Rocco Palmo was …
Can’t go to confession during coronavirus? Consider an ‘act of perfect contrition’
by Jonah McKeown Vatican City, Mar 27, 2020 / 05:00 am (CNA).- Imagine that Michael, a practicing Catholic, committed a mortal sin yesterday. Normally, Michael would go to confession. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, he can’t. It simply isn’t available. What can Michael do? Despite some creative efforts by …
Pope Francis will offer Easter liturgies in St. Peter’s Basilica and with no public
By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Mar 27, 2020 / 06:40 am (CNA).- Pope Francis will follow a slightly modified schedule this year for the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter, which will all take place inside St. Peter’s Basilica and without the presence of the public, the Vatican announced Friday. …
As dioceses face coronavirus money woes, Knights of Columbus offer line of credit
CNA Staff, Mar 27, 2020 / 02:17 pm (CNA).- The Knights of Columbus have offered a $1 million line of credit to Catholic dioceses to help dioceses and parishes suffering from the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic. “It is critical for us to support the Catholic Church in the …
At Fatima, 24 countries consecrated to Jesus and Mary amid the coronavirus pandemic
CNA Staff, Mar 25, 2020 / 05:25 pm (CNA).- Twenty-four countries on Wednesday were consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal. In a March 25 ceremony that included the recitation of the rosary …
Illinois religious order funds hotel initiative to protect homeless from coronavirus
By Perry West Chicago, Ill., Mar 26, 2020 / 03:38 pm (CNA).- As homeless shelters have been limited by the coronavirus, the Clerics of Saint Viator will help fund an initiative to house homeless people amid the pandemic. The religious order based in Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb, has donated …
A sickness and a silver crown: How Saint Louis University survived the cholera epidemic of 1849
By Joe Slama St. Louis, Mo., Mar 25, 2020 / 01:30 pm (CNA).- In the basement of St. Francis Xavier College Church on the campus of Saint Louis University stands a statue of the Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus. Cut from plain white stone, the statue stands smaller-than-life on …
Pope Francis to give a special Urbi et Orbi blessing amid coronavirus pandemic
By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Mar 22, 2020 / 11:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis announced Sunday that he will give an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing this week with the opportunity for Catholics to receive a plenary indulgence by tuning in via media. “This Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m., …
Archbishop Aymond of New Orleans has coronavirus
Washington D.C., Mar 23, 2020 / 11:33 am (CNA).- The Archbishop of New Orleans has tested positive for coronavirus. He is the first U.S. bishop known to have tested positive for the virus, which is now a global pandemic. “Recently, I had very mild symptoms, which included fever only. Out …