| 1. States Say Curbs on Procedures Include Abortions. By Brent Kendall and Elizabeth Findell, The Wall Street Journal, March 25, 2020, Pg. A3 A pair of states are saying their coronavirus restrictions on some medical procedures compel providers to stop performing most abortions, setting up new skirmishes on the issue at a time of national crisis. Governors around the U.S. are ordering elective and nonessential medical procedures be postponed to preserve personal-protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, and critical-care resources for medical workers and facilities responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Two states, Ohio and Texas, in recent days have said their restrictions apply to abortion. https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-states-say-coronavirus-medical-restrictions-should-halt-abortions-11585067509
___________________________________________________________ 2. Pope Francis: The Church’s pro-life message is more relevant than ever. By Courtney Mares, Associated Press, March 25, 2020, 6:00 AM Pope Francis said Wednesday that the Church’s pro-life message is more relevant than ever as the world faces the coronavirus pandemic. … This year’s Solemnity of the Annunciation marks the 25th anniversary of the encyclical Evangelium Vitae promulgated by St. John Paul II on the value and inviolability of human life. Pope Francis said that the coronavirus pandemic makes the encyclical’s message on the defense of all human life more urgent. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-the-churchs-pro-life-message-is-more-relevant-than-ever-93245
___________________________________________________________ 3. Vatican employees balk at lack of full shutdown amid virus. By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, March 24, 2020, 10:38 AM The Vatican is under pressure to let more employees work from home as its offices remain open two weeks after the Italian government ordered Italians home and shut down all non-essential businesses in an urgent attempt to contain the coronavirus. On the same day the Vatican confirmed four positive cases, Vatican employees in three different offices expressed alarm Tuesday that superiors had adopted different work-at-home policies that forced some to continue showing up. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/vatican-employees-balk-at-lack-of-full-shutdown-amid-virus/2020/03/24/2d8d3402-6ddd-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html
___________________________________________________________ 4. States differ on exempting worship from coronavirus closures. By Elana Schor, Associated Press, March 24, 2020, 3:09 PM As multiple governors issue orders to curb large gatherings and implore residents to stay home in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, at least a half-dozen states have exempted some level of religious activity. The divergent treatment of faith in some states’ pandemic-fighting orders comes as a few houses of worship across the nation continue to greet people in person, despite federal public health guidance to avoid gatherings larger than 10 people and decisions by most religious leaders to shift services online. While the pandemic has heightened political tensions, the states including religious exceptions in their orders designed to combat the pandemic are led by governors in both parties. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/states-differ-on-exempting-worship-from-coronavirus-closures/2020/03/24/fb7109dc-6e02-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html
___________________________________________________________ TCA Media Monitoring provides a snapshot from national newspapers and major Catholic press outlets of coverage regarding significant Catholic Church news and current issues with which the Catholic Church is traditionally or prominently engaged. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Catholic Association. | 
