Vatican city. Suggested reading by the Muslim Times: 80% mosques in Punjab violate govt-Ulema agreement on Taraweeh
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Italy’s Roman Catholic Church has reprimanded the government for not allowing the faithful to return to Masses at the start of a gradual staged end to Europe’s longest coronavirus lockdown.
Masses have been banned since early March when Italy closed most commercial activities apart from essentials.
A timetable given on Sunday by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said funerals could resume from May 4 but must be limited to 15 people and held outdoors if possible.
The timetable for May 4 to June 1 made no mention of Masses.
Italy’s bishops, in a strongly-worded statement late on Sunday night, said they could “not accept seeing the exercise of freedom of religion being compromised” and accused the government of “arbitrarily” excluding Mass from the timetable.
The statement implied that the bishops felt betrayed, saying they had suggested to the government measures to resume Masses while respecting new safety norms.
The timetable also brought divisions within Conte’s cabinet.
Suggested reading by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times about Fundamentalism in all Abrahamic Faiths:
‘God is with us’: Many Muslims in Pakistan flout the coronavirus ban in mosques
When Not Going to Jumma is a Huge Blessing
Maulana Abdul Aziz, 6 others booked for violating govt order
Ultra-Orthodox Israeli town of Bnei Brak under lockdown
Virus Soars Among Ultra-Orthodox Jews as Many Flout Israel’s Rules
India confronts its first coronavirus ‘super-spreader’ — a Muslim missionary group with more than 400 members infected
Pastors sue California governor over coronavirus restrictions on church gatherings
Suggested reading for the 21st century understanding of God and religion:
Answering the Question of Suffering for Sir David Attenborough
A Slight Twist Makes David Attenborough a Great Teacher for God of the Abrahamic Faiths
Corona — our debt to Darwin
Everything is a Miracle According to the Holy Quran and Albert Einstein
Corona Fear’s Cure: Chanting from the Bible and the Quran
A New Commentary of the Holy Quran Emphasizing Compassion, Justice and Human Rights Launched
Categories: Catholic Church, Catholicism, Catholics, Fundamentalism, Health