Mother Teresa. Pope asks faithful to follow Mother Teresa’s lead in crisis
Mother Teresa’s example should inspire us to seek out those whose suffering is hidden during the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis, according to Pope Francis.
At the start of his daily Mass, the Pope said he had seen a photo in a newspaper of homeless people sleeping in a parking lot, referring to a ‘viral’ image of homeless people lying six feet apart at Cashman Center in Las Vegas.
In his homily via livestream from Casa Santa Marta, the chapel in his Vatican City residence, Pope Francis asked the faithful follow in the saint’s footsteps. “These days of pain and sadness underline many hidden problems,” he said. “In the newspaper there is a photo which moves the heart: many homeless people from a city lying in a parking lot, under observation…there are many homeless people today.
“We ask St Teresa of Calcutta to reawaken in us the sense of closeness to so many people who, in society, in normal life, are hidden but, like the homeless, in a moment of crisis, are pointed out in this way.”
Vatican Tribunal hearings suspension extended to May 4
The Vatican Tribunal has prolonged the period in which hearings are suspended after a rescript was signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State.
Pope Francis gave his consent that the date of April 3, on which the Vatican’s Tribunal was originally earmarked to resume normal activity, would be prolonged until May.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who signed the document, explained that the decision was taken “in order to counter the Covid-19 epidemiological emergency, and to contain negative effects surrounding judicial activity”.
Also suspended are all deadlines for completing any step in the procedural process.
In addition, any dates that had been set to initiate any judicial process which land during the period of this suspension will be postponed until after the suspension period is over.
Furthermore, all “statutes of limitations” shall also be suspended for all intents and purposes, subject to certain exceptions. There were certain exceptions provided for civil and criminal proceedings, while the President of the Tribunal could also limit access to and opening hours of judicial offices.
Vatican Secretary of State pleas for global solidarity
Cardinal Pietro Parolin has called for a commitment to international solidarity and says the Church is close to those affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19).
The Vatican Secretary of State, in an interview with Vatican Media, said that now is not the time to “shut ourselves off” from others during a global pandemic.
“We are sharing this difficult moment with everyone,” he said.
“It is an opportunity to feel more united and to nurture the spirit of solidarity and sharing among all countries, among all peoples, among all men and women in the world.
“We need one each other, communities and societies, to help us care for one another.”
Cardinal Parolin said the Vatican was maintaining contact with all churches during the crisis and advised the faithful to stick together in Holy Week.
“Christian faith is God irrupting in human history…I believe this is an opportune moment to return to God with all our hearts.
“The family is a domestic Church,” he added. “We can pray and prepare ourselves for Easter by following the liturgies and prayers on television.”