The speed with which coronavirus protocols had to be implemented late last week led to an understandable — and unavoidable — confusion. That confusion even hit the highest levels of the Church in Rome, with two senior cardinals in a very public conflict. And Pope Francis himself got involved.

But now with a few days to reflect, some principles and practices are emerging.

Prayer Is Not Canceled but Continues
While public gathering for worship and prayer may be canceled, worship and prayer are not canceled. To the contrary, they should be intensified.

It’s only been three months since the origin of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan, China, and it’s only been a few weeks since what was originally perceived as largely a Chinese problem became a global phenomenon.

Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader said on Saturday, March 14, that the Christians comply with the new measures the Jordanian government has undertaken to deal with Coronavirus, including halting prayers in all of the Kingdom's churches and mosques in accordance with the directives of the Fatwa Department and the Council of Churches.

The 7th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate comes in the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.

All of Italy is in lockdown. The streets of Rome are empty. The Pope is saying private Masses and giving virtual, disembodied blessings via big screen in St. Peter's Square.

The cup is gone from most churches. Communion in the hand is for some a cause of great fear. Elbow bumps replace handshakes. Smiles acknowledge, at a distance, that they will have to suffice for embraces.

Support independent Catholic news. Become an NCR Forward member for $5 a month.

As a believer who grew up in the Protestant Church, I would venture to say that I lived in the equivalent of the Church Calendar’s Ordinary Time for most of the year.

On Sunday, March 8, millions around the world mobilized in honor of International Women’s Day. The day has occurred for over a century, providing a voice to international, intergenerational, and cross-gender efforts concerning the conditions of women across different religions, countries, and social classes.

In a Sunday morning Tweet, His Majesty King Abdullah ll said: “On #InternationalWomensDay and every day, we are grateful for and proud of the inspiriting achievements of Jordanian women and their dedication to the prosperity of our nation.”

In 1348, the Black Plague or “Great Pestilence” led to the deaths of between 30 to 60 percent of medieval Europe, killing one out of every two or three people on the continent.

In 1918, the Great Influenza or “Spanish Flu” killed approximately 50 million people, over twice the total number of soldiers who died during World War I. Its mortality to infection ratio was approximately 3 percent, with 3 out of every 100 infected people dying from the virus.

Most Catholics are familiar with Lent as a time of spiritual preparation, penance and fasting.

But fewer Catholics might be aware that the Church offers a plenary indulgence during this holy season to those who seek one.

An indulgence — which has long been misunderstood both inside and outside Catholic circles — is defined as the “remission of temporal punishment due to sin.” Put more plainly, it’s a spiritual cleaning of the “mess” sin makes after a person has received the sacramental graces of confession and absolution.

Celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday by following the example of one extraordinary woman, Mary, the Mother of God. So says Sr Carol Breslin, of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, who notes that also on 8th March, it is the UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.