NEWS ANALYSIS/OMNIS TERRA - The "digital Church" in Asia amid coronavirus crisis

Saturday, 28 March 2020 coronavirus   faith   local churches  

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected more nations than the World Wars. The outbreak has impacted every aspect of life—family, social, business, governance, education, economy, religion, to name a few.
During the emergency, governments around the world have limited the movement of citizens to contain the infection by adopting "social distancing" measures. Consequently, in-person meetings, conferences, gathering, works and religious services have been canceled. In this unique time in the world, the Church authorizes around Asia, like in the Philippines, India, Japan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and in many parts of the world to "stay home". People are directed to turn to technology to keep their faith in a time of crisis in this unprecedented moment as it is a great responsibility of all to help each other.
These turbulent times have paved a way for ‘digital or virtual church’ across the nations as extreme or enhanced community or self-quarantine are in place in many countries and all public Masses and other church services and programs are canceled. "This is a time to be united as one nation, lock in prayer and bow down on our knees to pray for one another": in this spirit, the Asian Churches have advised the faithful to attend church service through live "streaming" or Masses aired live on cable, local television networks, radio stations, online and social media. (- continues)


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