By Elise Ann Allen, Crux, April 30, 2020

After a tense exchange between the Italian government and the national bishops’ conference over the absence of a date to restart public Masses, some potential dates have emerged.

However, there are still lingering questions about just how unified the Vatican and the Italian bishops are in their strategy for handling the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and the aftermath.

According to Italian newspaper Avvenire, the official newspaper for the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), the gradual return to normal liturgical life could begin as soon as Monday, May 11, with the resumption of daily Masses.

Depending on whether there are signs of a second wave of contagion, public Sunday Masses could begin either May 18 or May 25, provided that the standard safety precaustions – wearing masks and gloves – and social distancing are met. Currently, May 25 seems to be the most realistic date on the table.

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2020/04/in-italy-possible-dates-floated-for-gradual-return-to-liturgical-life/ ___________________________________________________________

2. Orthodox Jews beset by virus grapple with NYC mayor’s rebuke.

By Elana Schor, Associated Press, April 29, 2020, 9:10 PM

It started with a funeral that got out of hand. It ended Wednesday with some of New York City’s Jews at odds with the mayor over his criticisms of the Orthodox community as it struggles to deal with the coronavirus.

The funeral was for Rabbi Chaim Mertz, a revered Hasidic Orthodox leader whose death was reportedly linked to the coronavirus.

…

De Blasio personally joined in the dispersal of the crowd, and then tweeted that “my message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed.”

…

De Blasio’s comments sparked criticism from two Jewish city council members as well as Jewish groups and some of his fellow Democrats. Orthodox leaders who last month aligned in a rare show of unity against the virus were left in a painful spot, echoing other Jewish advocates in lamenting their public singling out by a mayor who has been an ally.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/orthodox-jews-beset-by-virus-grapple-with-nyc-mayors-rebuke/2020/04/29/6223a944-8a7f-11ea-80df-d24b35a568ae_story.html ___________________________________________________________

3. New Mexico diocese sues over limits on virus relief funds.

By Associated Press, April 29, 2020

New Mexico’s largest Catholic diocese has filed a complaint against the U.S. Small Business Administration over its inability to apply for federal aid meant to help businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe claims the low-interest loan applications that entities must complete state those businesses involved in bankruptcy proceedings will not be approved. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in 2018 in the wake of clergy sex abuse lawsuits that began decades earlier.

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2020/04/new-mexico-diocese-sues-over-limits-on-virus-relief-funds/ ___________________________________________________________

4. Abortion rarely topic of preaching, says new Pew study.

By Christopher White, Crux, April 29, 2020

While abortion remains one of the most divisive issues in American public life, particularly among people of faith, a new study suggests that it is rarely discussed from the pulpit.

Findings from the Pew Research Center released on April 29 found that only four percent of sermons posted online during the spring of 2019 discussed abortion. Further, the study revealed that when pastors do discuss it, the topic is rarely repeated and Church leaders are almost unanimous in their opposition to it.

While the study is not comprehensive of all sermons from Christian churches in the U.S., analysts reviewed nearly 50,000 sermons posted during an eight-week period from over 6,000 U.S. churches.

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2020/04/abortion-rarely-topic-of-preaching-says-new-pew-study/ ___________________________________________________________

5. Planned Parenthood president hails ‘silver lining’ to coronavirus.

By Catholic News Agency, April 29, 2020, 4:00 PM
Planned Parenthood’s president has hailed an increase in telehealth services, including access to chemical abortions, as a “silver lining” of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is actually a silver lining in this pandemic, that Planned Parenthood and many other health providers have actually been able to really lean into telehealth infrastructure and provide service,” said Alexis McGill-Johnson, acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, interview with Democracy Now! published Monday.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/planned-parenthood-president-hails-silver-lining-to-coronavirus-50681 ___________________________________________________________

6. Pope Francis postpones Peter’s Pence collection amid pandemic’s economic downturn.

By Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency, April 29, 2020, 2:00 PM

Pope Francis has postponed this year’s Peter’s Pence collection until next fall as the Vatican confronts the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

The collection, which traditionally takes place in churches across the world on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, has been moved to October 4, the feast of St. Francis.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-postpones-peters-pence-collection-amid-pandemics-economic-downturn-10483 ___________________________________________________________

7. House of Lords committee raises concerns over N Ireland abortion regulations.

By Catholic News Agency, April 29, 2020, 1:01 PM

A legislation scrutiny committee of the House of Lords last week published a report on the abortion regulations imposed on Northern Ireland by the British government, noting that the regulations are more expansive than were required by law.

Among the key criticisms in the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee’s April 23 report was the six-week duration of public consultation on the proposed regulations. The committee includes members of the Conservative Party, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats, as well as crossbenchers.

“In our view this is too short for so sensitive a topic, the committee wrote. “Added to which, it took place during the General Election period and in the run up to Christmas, neither of which conforms with best practice. Of the over 21,000 responses received, 79% registered general opposition to any change to the established position in Northern Ireland.”

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/house-of-lords-committee-raises-concerns-over-n-ireland-abortion-regulations-96367
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