Risk viral coronavirus: it is right to close the churches? One thing is certain: it is not fair or that certain Christian faithful up attacking so mocking bishops and priests, standing up as supreme judges of their pastors in this moment of tragic emergency

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- the Church and the serious emergency conoravirus -

RISK VIRAL CORONAVIRUS: It's OK CLOSE THE CHURCHES? ONE THING IS CERTAIN: NOT RIGHT OR THAT SOME CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL up attacking SO mocking BISHOPS AND PRIESTS, Standing at SUPREME JUDGES OF THEIR CHARACTERS IN THIS TRAGIC MOMENT OF EMERGENCY

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[…] let me quote mocking attitude of some Christians faithful to their bishops. At this time the Church does not need divisions, If it is serious, the situation we are experiencing is even more serious foment infighting. Dates provisions are certainly not perfect, indeed they would have needed more judiciousness, but this does not authorize anyone to break them and to stand as a judge of the bishops and their priests of us, who by grace or disgrace still represent the guides we recognized the People of God. As children free, we also express our pain and our disagreement without falling But in rebellion, What it would do more like ravenous wolves in sheep tame.

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Author
Ivano Liguori, Ofm. Capp.

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Drafting: funny but very effective spot Luca De Matteis who invite recalcitrant to remain isolated in homes for the safety of all

I have to acknowledge which at first glance, such a question is likely to leave much space emotionality. I confess that I too, I was led to more emotional than rational considerations, accusing the blow, if only for my dual role as a Christian and a priest, as well as an Italian citizen. The same applies to my confreres de The Island of Patmos, with whom we exchanged opinions and views, consultandoci each other and often looking for answers in each other. All we indeed felt touched in the deepest essence of the exercise of the sacred priesthood, in a situation that is unprecedented, in Church history, which also it has known moments of persecution or emergencies dates from various epidemics or pandemics.

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It comes so sudden and unexpected for the majority of the faithful, the news released by the Italian Bishops' Conference on 8 March, that demanded by Catholics compliance with the Decree of the Prime Minister's Office, which required - among other things - the suspension as a preventive measure, until the next 3 April, the entire national of all the civil and religious ceremonies territory, including those funeral. After this news, regional episcopal conferences have begun to issue decrees which essentially reiterated the orientation of the text C.E.I. with some minimal adjustment to the specific situations of the diocesan territory of belonging.

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by Luca De Matteis

We must say that the Decree the Presidency of the Council of Ministers does not speak explicitly of physical closure of places of worship, but public year suspension of civil and religious functions. So in fact the churches are open but without faithful, Masses are still celebrated by priests but behind closed doors and someone could still go to church to pray, respecting the rules of hygiene and prevention of infection, but without creating the typical gathering of a mass.

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A few days later, President Joseph Conte, declare a national emergency and extends the stringent measures of the regions most affected by the epidemic to the whole Italian territory. The result is that you can not leave the house except for urgent and proven business needs commissions, under penalty of fine or more severe sanctions.

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With the update of the provisions, the majority of the churches remains open but without the ability to see a faithful among its aisles. Yet, Last Thursday, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, vicar general of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, established by decree a ban on access to parochial and non-parochial churches extended to all the faithful dell'Urbe. The next day De Donatis backtracks and issues a new decree that corrects the previous and stops the lockout: "They remain closed to public access" - reads the decree - "non-parish churches and more generally the places of worship of any kind, the parish churches remain open instead ».

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Others see as the cause of this abrupt reversal “U” the cardinal of the Holy Father's words, during the morning mass at the Martha's House Sacthae: 'Drastic measures are not always good ".

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great starter, great confusion, great fear ... but the faithful what they think, what do they do? The pleas of the battle rages communication, attach the bishops, the priests are accused of being fearful and novel Don Abbondio, the conflicting opinions expressed by some Catholic intellectuals are wasted on social and blogs, Then there are not a few comments that go beyond the bounds of decency, in short, a great mishmash that does not bring any benefit to the Church.

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by Luca De Mattei

I have taken my idea about it, of which I spoke at length with my brothers de The Island of Patmos and now I would share with you: first of all, I believe that in this matter the stakes are twofold. On the one hand the public health of citizens must be guaranteed by the state. Across the health of the soul that the Church has also a duty to safeguard respect for the divine mandate received from Christ, and that is the most valuable asset of every baptized. I say this because in such situations you need to be united despite the allocation of functions and separation areas of expertise. Otherwise we come to dislike interference and misunderstandings.

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It is clear that the state can not regulate in spiritual matters, since it enjoys no authority in the matter and no divine mandate. In contrast, the Church can not deal with issues that affect temporal situations, except in the case in which it can manifest, as a moral authority, his opinions about some serious matters and vital.

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The emergency situation that the epidemic has resulted, the need for the rapid adoption of useful decisions to stem the contagion, It has prevented a serious reflection and a healthy dialogue, as to protect the priorities of a secular state without damaging the spiritual goods of the Church.

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It does much to think that in a time like ours, attentive to the rights of all, guarantor of minorities, enemy of those who foment hatred, an emergency situation like send everything up, revealing the flaws of a state system unprepared and a Church whose concern is skewed more toward the body to the soul. Leveling everything, It appeared to be the best choice to solve the problem in a quick and almost painless.

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by Luca De Mattei

In this way, there is serious risk to throw out with the bathwater the baby, Whereas Italy, the number of Catholic Christians still represents the majority and, Although Christianity is no longer the state religion, like in the past, it still holds an important civil weight. I personally think that the Holy Church, through her pastors would have to immediately start an open dialogue with the state that would be guaranteed to the faithful the right to exercise faith and to the priests the exercise of the ministry albeit with due caution before the ongoing situation.

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In a health emergency situation like this, faith is still a strong hope for so many people, an internal tool that allows active resources and the resilience that can go forward. Faith does not pertain only to the religious but binds to the virtue of hope, and the man without hope dies. That's why, a restrictive measure of this kind, despite the good intentions, is likely to bring along the side effects that we see with clarity only danger ceased, including in the near future the kind of precedent that was created.

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My thoughts go to the many elderly who are not accustomed to using new technologies and who can not follow the Mass live Facebook. For them the comfort not only passes through the Mass broadcast TV or radio, but above all through the visit of the priest and the reception of Holy Communion. This my thinking is reflected in the words of these days the Pope saying: "Pastors not only let the people of God, speechless, sacraments and prayer ". Good, but how can I priest hearing confession unless I approach, How can I administer the anointing oil if you do not touch with the sick and dying body. Difficult decisions that impose almost a choice between body and spirit? Days and days later, The Italian Episcopal Conference issued a document in which they enter into the merits of this speech giving directives [see document, WHO].

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by Luca De Mattei

The body is a gift from God and it is only right to treat him and protect it from danger and disease, but that our body is limited not immortal. When you can not do anything, you can still act on the soul, you can cure and save his soul from eternal death, and in so doing also recover the body in expectation of his glorious resurrection, as we recite in the Creed Sunday. Unfortunately, there have been cases where the sick faithful were unable to receive the Eucharist, penitents could not be reconciled and the priests impeded by various factors in accomplishing their ministry. I say this not for God or groped to convey a superstitious religious sentimentalism, I say this because my experience of many years as a chaplain in the hospital brought me to this conclusion, and health workers themselves have recognized the meritorious value of spiritual assistance during illness.

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When the emergency is over, we should all respond to our conscience in reference to some deficiencies that challenge the common good, which also passes through respect for the faith of my neighbor.

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To end, let me mention that attitude mocking of some Christian faithful to their bishops. At this time the Church does not need divisions, If it is serious, the situation we are experiencing is even more serious foment infighting. Dates provisions are certainly not perfect, indeed they would have needed more judiciousness, but this does not authorize anyone to break them and to stand as a judge of the bishops and their priests of us, who by grace or disgrace still represent the guides we recognized the People of God. As children free, we also express our pain and our disagreement without falling But in rebellion, What it would do more like ravenous wolves in sheep tame.

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Laconi, 20 March 2020

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To stay as close as possible to the faithful in this time of crisis and emergency, the editorial staff of The Island of Patmos informs readers that our author Father Ivano LIGUORI, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, Care on Facebook the heading 'THE WORD NETWORK ", offering of three times a week meditations. You can access the edited page from our Father clicking on the logo below:

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Visit our book shop and support our work by buying the books of Editions The island of Patmos: WHO

 

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"Open Church" (VI episode) - The Blessed Patriarch Joseph, Silent heroic man, paternity model and human virility

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- the Fathers of The Patmos Island close to the faithful in this quarantine -

"CHURCH OPEN» (VI episode) - BLESSED JOSEPH PATRIARCH, SILENT MAN HEROIC, MODEL OF PATERNITY AND HUMAN VIRILITY

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We offer our readers this third precious videos of our esteemed brother John Zanchi, priest of the Diocese of Arezzo, so that it can also serve as an effective and wise antidote to all those who unfortunately, at this time of extraordinary crisis and emergency, They have nothing better to do than argue, often in harsh and aggressive tone, against decisions taken by our bishops for safety reasons to protect public health: suspend the sacred celebrations and in many cases close the churches. Recall that the Church, during crises and emergencies, It has never been saved by the controversy of those who stand for all time the most faithful among the faithful or to the purest of the pure, but the unit. Someone has written these days that "the bishops are committing suicide the Italian Church". Unfortunately he did not understand anything of the essence of the Catholic faith: the church “if suicidal” attacking the bishops, instead follow them and support them in a moment of so severe test.

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VIDEO SHOOTING AND ASSEMBLY BY THE ISSUER TELESANDOMENICO (AREZZO)

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TEXT OF THE VIDEO

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The texts of Father John Zanchi, director of the Pastoral Center Divine Worship of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro, They are not meant as articles but as audio-narrative texts. We proceeded to transcribe audio text for our Readers.

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John Zanchi

Welcome to the VI episode of Chiesa Aperta!

In these difficult days, the Archbishop of Milan, S. AND. Mons. Mario Delpini, he has declared: "We have suspended the celebrations and all that could facilitate contact between people. But we have always said that churches are open " (The Print, 17 March 2020).

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Many churches also in Italy are dedicated to Saint Joseph, the most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which today is the annual feast. Saint John Paul II, the 15 August 1989, He dedicated to the great Patriarch his Apostolic Exhortation, entitled Redeemer's guardian (The guardian of the Redeemer). In small "house churches" that are our families (The light 11), in these days of forced seclusion would be an excellent thing to read and meditate on that text.

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Saint John Paul II He reminds us that St. Joseph has many things to teach us, particularly in this time of tribulation. I remember the principal of such teachings. These days comes to us from many quarters the invitation to "stay home" and creatively employ our time spent in the home walls; For Christians, this means more time for prayer, the reading of the Bible and the Catechism. Well precisely St. Joseph is the model of all those who cultivate the interior life:

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"The Gospels speak exclusively of what Joseph" did "; however, allow you to discover in his "actions", shrouded in silence, a climate of deep contemplation. Joseph was in daily contact with the mystery "hidden for ages", which "dwelt" under the roof of his home " (Redeemer's guardian, 25). "The total sacrifice, Joseph did his whole existence to the demands of the coming of the Messiah in their own home, becomes understandable only in "his unfathomable inner life, from which they come to him singular commands and consolations and derive the logic and force him, belong to simple and clear souls, the big decisions, like that of immediately put at the disposal of the divine designs his freedom, his legitimate human vocation, her marital happiness, accepting the condition of the family, the responsibility and the weight and giving up an incomparable virginal love for the natural conjugal love that is the foundation and nourishment " (Teachings of Paul VI, VII [1969] 1268)» (Redeemer's guardian, 26).

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St. Joseph thus perfectly embodies the true devotee model, since devotion is nothing but submission to God, the willingness readiness to devote themselves to things pertaining to God's service (cf St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 82, a. 3, ad 2). In this difficult situation it should be noted that St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Catholic Church, said that by Blessed Pius IX (as God, 8 December 1870). Leo XIII declared in this regard: "Joseph was in his lawful and natural guardian, head and defender of the Holy Family … It is thus fitting and most worthy of St. Joseph, that, in the way that he once kept to protect holy watch over the family of Nazareth, so now does he protect and defend with his heavenly patronage the Church of Christ " (however many times, 15 August 1889).

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Saint Teresa of Jesus testifies As St. Joseph is powerful in helping those who call upon:

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"To other Saints it seems that God has given to help us in this or that need, while I have experienced that the glorious St. Joseph extends his patronage of all. With what the Lord wants us to understand that in the way that it was subject to him on earth, where he could command as the putative father, so also in the sky he does everything I ask him. This han recognized from experience that even other people on my advice you are recommended to its patronage " (Vita, 6).

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Of the special patronage of St. Joseph Holy Church has more need than ever today to deal now with pastoral zeal and creativity the emergence of the pandemic and then to stay next to and among people renovated and effectively, when the emergency is finally over. St. Joseph is also the special patron of the dying, because he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary most holy; death was no longer "good" of his. In this time when we want to deceive us into believing that the "euthanasia" that is "good death" or assisted suicide, it is urgent more than ever to look instead to the example of St. Joseph and the dying, through his intercession, ask God for the grace of a holy death. At the protection of St. Joseph are now entrusted the dying because of the pandemic, who face the defining moment of their lives alone and without the opportunity to receive the sacraments.

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Finally note that St. Joseph It is above all the most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the marriage with Madonna that are derived Giuseppe its singular dignity and his rights on Jesus:

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"Since marriage is the highest association and friendship ... it follows that, If God gave Joseph to the Virgin, gave him not only as a companion for life, witness of virginity and protector of honesty, but also because they participate, through the marriage pact, the lofty grandeur of her ' (Leone XIII, however many times).

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St. Joseph is thus also the model for all married couples and Christian brides, many of them these days have the opportunity to spend more time together, praying and deepening their own communion of life. About this, I conclude by reporting an event that deserves to be known. There you can also get married in this time of a pandemic, even in the presence of government regulations that prohibit public gatherings and religious ceremonies. It is what they have done Peter and Ilaria few days ago, the presence of one priest and witnesses. The newlyweds have declared:

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"In a situation like the one that most emerged it is that we were responding to a call and one that so interested us was able to say yes before Christ ... For us it meant going to the essentials of our vocation ... Friends ... they helped us to keep our eyes fixed on what really matters ... and not to focus on our projects and thoughts went miserably in smoke, albeit right and beautiful. We are grateful for what has happened because it allowed us to take a big step of self-awareness than our personal relationship with Christ in a start for us as important " (The Subsidiary Net, 11 March 2020).

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Thank you, Peter and Ilaria, just Married! You have shown in practice that the Church is "open in these difficult days", is that stone and brick, both the domestic. Best wishes for your marriage! God bless your family and Saint Joseph, the most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary protect you, together with the whole Church and all Christian families!

A resent tomorrow for a new episode Church Open.

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Sansepolcro (Arezzo), 19 March 2020

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"INNO POPULAR: JOSEPH AND THE HOLY NAME "

1. Giuseppe, holy name
It names the joyful heart,
the hope he is in the world,
that rejoices in the Lord. Ride.

Your name Joseph,
sweetness and sounds amor,
happy those who knew,
scolpir nell'alma and cor!
Happy those who knew,
scolpir nell'alma and cor!

2. The exalt his children,
because of a father's name
and loving as veggan,
s'ottenga his favor.

Ride. Your name Joseph…

3. It is as high and large,
of strength and might,,
but his power moves,
l'amiable US bontade.

Ride. Your name Joseph…

4. Your heavenly name,
both in life and my hope
and at last Ear extreme,
is balm for the pain.

Rit Your name Joseph…

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«You will know the truth and the truth will set you free» [GV 8,32],
but bring, spread and defend the truth not only of
risks but also the costs. Help us supporting this Island
with your offers through the secure Paypal system:









or you can use the bank account:

payable to Editions The island of Patmos

IBAN IT 74R0503403259000000301118
in this case, send us an email warning, because the bank
It does not provide your email and we could not send you a
thanks [ isoladipatmos@gmail.com ]

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