Coronavirus Special Issue - April 15, 2020
- Profiles in Catholicism
- Apr 14, 2020
- 13 min read
Updated: Apr 15, 2020

A Message from the Editor
The world we have always known has gone. Thousands of people are dying. Many of us feel isolated and some feel abandoned, We ponder why God has allowed this to happen.
But neighbors are helping neighbors and many of us and organizations are responding to God’s commandment “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”
To keep current on many of your local and global coronavirus challenges, read our Coronavirus web which is updated daily.
One of our major challenges is the rationing of healthcare to those who are seriously ill. Some physicians have to make decisions on who will live and who will die do the lack of lifesaving equipment and essential drugs as many of them are putting themselves and their families at risk of infection daily.
For this reason, we have added a new web on Ethics and Healthcare.
Healthcare Workers and First Responders are dying daily to protect are dying daily to care for those with coronavirus, For this reason, we are featuring two prayers for their protection.
Say a prayer thanksgiving for Dr. Anthony Fauci for his leadership in addressing the coronavirus pandemic who has sadly been receiving death threats.
We welcome Father Shay Cullen as an Editorial Advisor. Be sure to read his powerful article.
Profiles in Catholicism is providing leadership in addressing the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church through original reports and other published articles and videos in our Clerical Sexual Violence Against Minors web. We are deeply indebted to our president, Mike Hoffman, whose courage in addressing this crisis is a blessing to our Church. Be sure to read his reflective and inspiring 5th Anniversary Child Abuse Prevention Edition,
Profiles in Catholicism are sent to several thousand people in 53 counties. Your donation of $5.00 or more helps to support our global educational service, If you find Profiles in Catholicism helpful, please make a donation by going to https://www.catholicprofiles.org/donate
Finally, as we face the extraordinary challenges of coronavirus, some of us may forget that there are so many globally facing other medical threats such as my friend Alwin Rex in India. Here is a massage that I recently received from him.
“I am currently paralyzed at home. I feel isolated at home because of the safety of taking medication. But I am struggling in a financial crisis. .Because I take medicine. Lord protect us all from this deadly virus. I pray for you.”
I am asking our readers, if possible, to send a donation of $10.00 or more to help cover his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont, New York 11003, the USA with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor.
May God bless each of our readers and keep them safe.
A Quote to Remember
“With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity — that the peoples of this world are our brothers and sisters, that we are all one family under God.
God does not abandon us, he goes with us even now in this time of trial and testing. At this moment, it is important for us to anchor our hearts in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Now is the time to intensify our prayers and sacrifices for the love of God and the love of our neighbor. Let us draw closer to one another in our love for him, and rediscover the things that truly matter in our lives.
United with our Holy Father Pope Francis, let us pray in solidarity for our brothers and sisters here and around the world who are sick. Let us pray for those who have lost loved ones to this virus. May God console them and grant them peace.
We pray also for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, for public health officials and all civic leaders. May God grant them courage and prudence as they seek to respond to this emergency with compassion and in service to the common good.”
Special Prayer
Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic
O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, the Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
by Pope Francis
A Prayer for Fr. Giuseppe Beradelli
Lord of all peoples and all ages, you are a God of the living, not of the dead. Your servant Giuseppe Beradelli loved life.
As parish priest of Fiorano, he zipped around town in a red motorcycle, greeting people with an exuberant “Pace e bene!”. He shared the joy of being your son, and then when the time came, he shared the pain of being your son. He refused the help of a ventilator so that a younger man with the coronavirus might be saved. He died as your servant. Those who lose their life for your sake will find it. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord. Amen
by Father Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M. Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Healthcare Workers and First Responders
God, you promise to stay close
to those who are loving and true.
Be close now and accompany
those healthcare workers and first responders,
who have fallen ill, and
who have been faithful in their work
to care for others, especially those most in need.
Restore their health, so they may once more serve.
Give them renewed hope and courage.
Instill in us a deep appreciation for all those
entrusted with our safety, security, and health.
Continue to watch over your family.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen
by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Healthcare Workers and First Responders
Lord, one time your daughter, our sister St. Teresa, addressed you, as only she could, musing that the reason you have so few friends is that you treat them so badly.
Dare I suggest the same is happening today?
So many of you children, nurses, doctors, aides, and first responders find themselves under stress, dire stress in serving you as the server your other children. How is your love shown when they are so afflicted and in such danger? How is it a sign of your love when we, your children, put additional burdens on them? When do we add to their stress?
Allow us to pray O Lord,
from the depths of our hearts, help us to make our own, the words of your prophet David:
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Thus we do not fear, though the earth be shaken
and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
Though its waters rage and foam
and mountains totter at its surging.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob. (Psalm 46)
Sustain us O Lord sustain us. Sustain us O Lord, sustain us. Amen
by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M. Profiles in Catholicism
Pray for Carol Eggett
Please pray for Carol Eggett who has COVID 19 and has been unconscious since Sunday, 3/29. She is a mother and a grandmother and is known for her musical skills and reaching out to others with warmth and humanity.
by Denise Mackura Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Boris Johnson
The Plight of All
Father
You alone
Know the heart
Of each one of us:
The time to live and the time to die
Is a time we scarcely recognize
But come it will,
Either alone or in a company,
Easing our passage
Or filling it with pain.
Take pity on our lives
Lived recklessly or not,
Flamboyantly or discreetly,
Publicly or in our street.
An angel companion beside us,
Addressing our lives in reality,
Preparing us for eternity.
Whether we live or die,
Serve in public or our neighbor,
We live amidst so many others,
Weeping or worse.
Help us in the breach of passing,
To leave love’s touch
On the hearts from whom
We’re drawn
– suspended –
As if in the hands of a Gardener,
Deciding whether to transplant
Us to eternity or to delay awhile.
Pity us and those we love!
Love those we love imperfectly!
Repair and rebuild what is broken!
Forgive and prepare us to live!
Or let us pass,
Prepared,
Patiently,
From here
To you.
And let Your love
Enfold the left
As leaving,
We leave in the hope
Of love enfolding
Each of us.
Mother Mary,
Meet us in the doorway,
Greet us or ask
Your Son for the
Pardon or the pause
Which completes
The gift of life
We have been given.
by Francis Etheredge Profiles in Catholicism
National Child Abuse Prevention Month Prayer
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, a shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
by U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Interviews
General Articles/Commentaries
How the Pandemic Will End by Ed Yong, The Atlantic Link to Coronavirus
Pope defends priests, religious who brave pandemic to serve the poor against ‘elite mentality’ by Elise Ann Allen Crux
‘A Time of Great Uncertainty’. An Interview with Pope Francis by Austen Ivereigh Commonweal
Pope warns of ‘virionic genocide’ if governments prioritize economy over people during pandemic by Inés San Martín Crux Link to Ethics and Healthcare
Papacies in Lockdown. How does the pandemic compare to crises of the past? by Massimo Faggioli Commonweal
Analysis: The sacramental shutdown, coronavirus, and canon law by Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report Link to Canon Law
Coronavirus: Cardinal Tagle urges "forgiveness of debt” of poor countries by Robin Gomes Vatican News
Coronavirus and the Talmud by Adam Kirsh Tablet
FAQs – COVID-19 PPP and EIDL Loans for Churches and Other Nonprofits by Wagenmaker & Oberly, LLC
Coronavirus has Created a State of Emergency for Black America by The Skanner News
Analysis: Policy and pastoral leadership in a time of crisis by JD Flynn and Ed Condon CNA/The Catholic World Report
New York cardinal hopes coronavirus crisis stirs ‘newfound respect’ for life by Christopher White Crux Link to Other ProLife Challenges
A conversation with Father James Martin: 'Why did God let this happen?' by Bill Baker Religion News Service
What it’s like to be a hospital chaplain during Covid-19 by Michael J. O’Loughlin America
Taiwan donates food, medical supplies to Vatican amid virus outbreak by Elise Ann Allen Crux
Rabbi Brad on Finding God in the Midst of Fear by Team Busted Halo Busted Halo
When the racist response to Covid-19 hits home by Ricky Manalo America Link to Racial Challenges
The Israeli ‘Pooling’ Method That Could Rapidly Expand COVID-19 Testing by Judy Siegle Itzkovich Tablet
Pandemic Journal by Nicole Rudick, Ali Bhutto, Jamie Quatro, Edward Stephens, and Carl Elliott, et al .NYR Daily
The United States has criminalized asylum seeking. Covid-19 gives us a reason to reconsider. by Kathleen Bonnette America Link to United State Immigration Challenges
Older Catholics reflect on pandemic’s effect on faith life, how they cope by Ed Langlois Catholic News Service/Crux Link to Elder Outreach/Services
Dr. Anthony Fauci, dedicated to public service, formed at Jesuit high school by Peter Feuerherd National Catholic Reporter
Dr. Anthony Fauci describes what his typical day is like, and it involves getting up at 4 a.m. and going to bed after midnight by Isaac Scher Business Insider France
Syria: Nun sends message of love, prayers and solidarity by John Pontifex Independent Catholic News
Virus exposes glaring inequalities between rich and poor by Winnie Byanyima Business Day Link to Poverty
COVID-19: Bishop welcomes release of pregnant women and new mothers from prison by Independent Catholic News Link to Prison Challenges
America’s Largest Population of Holocaust Survivors Is Endangered by the Coronavirus as Crown Heights and Borough Park Shut Down by Armin Rosen Tablet Link to The Holocaust
Coronavirus compels climate activists to shift from streets to screen by Brian Roewe EarthBeat Link to Environment and Climate Challenges
How can I get involved in virtual climate activism? by Jesse Remedios EarthBeat
A sermon on COVID-19 and Climate Change by Mark Silk Religion News Service
‘Terribly Traumatic.’ Patients, Doctors Confront Medical Rationing in the Coronavirus Era by Christopher Weaver, Melanie Evans and Tom McGinty The Wall Street Journal Link to Ethics and Healthcare
Ethical principles and the rationing of health care: a qualitative study in general practice by Lee Berney, MA, MSc British Journal of General Practice
Age Discrimination and Rationing during the Coronavirus Crisis by Alexandra Desanctis National Review
Who Should Decide When Someone Lives or Dies? by Currents News Staff/ New Evangelization Television (NET)
Ventilators limited for the disabled? Rationing plans are slammed amid coronavirus crisis by Minyvonne Burke NBD News
Playing God: Pandemic Brings Moral Dilemmas to US Hospitals. Two Christian bioethicists on life or death issues that American doctors may soon face. by Kara Bettis Christianity Today
Holy See responds to High Court’s acquittal of Cardinal Pell by CNA Daily News/The Catholic World Report Link to Clerical Sexual Violence Against Minors
Illinois Religious Order Funds Hotel Initiative to Protect Homeless from Coronavirus by Perry West CAN/ National Catholic Register Link to Homeless
Shuttered soup kitchens make life even tougher for homeless: ‘No sandwiches. No dinners. No nothing.’ By Mark Brown Chicago Sun Times
Emergencies and Charity: A reflection by Emergencies and Charity: A reflection by Cardinal Tagle by Cardinal Tagle Vatican News Link to Priestly Reflections
Bishop’s wife and church secretary released by kidnappers in Nigeria by Staff Writer Anglican Communion News Service
Virus reveals elderly as victims of a ‘throwaway culture,’ Vatican official says by Elise Ann Allen Crux Link to Elder Outreach/Services
How Being Bullied Affects Your Adulthood by Kate Baggaley Slate Link to School Bullying and Hazing
Priest on PBS special offers frank accounting of past, hope for future by CNS/The Pilot Link to Clerical Sexual Violence Against Minors
Prevent healthcare rationing on basis of disability, Congressmen tell HHS by Matt Hadro Catholic News Agency/Angelus Link to Disabilities
When pitchers and batters become ministers and deacons by Douglas J. Gladstone America Link to Sports and Spirituality
During coronavirus, Rome’s homeless find refuge near the Vatican by CNA Daily News The Catholic World Report Link to Homeless
Pope Francis calls for a global cease-fire, attention to overcrowded prisons in response to coronavirus by Gerard O’Connell America Link to Prison Challenges
Coronavirus, Crucifixion, Resurrection by Tony Magliano Acting Franciscan
Sister Helen Prejean spending COVID-19 quarantine advocating for prisoners by Christopher White Crux
English bishop calls for early release of prisoners during COVID-19 pandemic by Charles Collins Crux
Dutch monasteries face financial crisis due to COVID-19 lockdown by Katholiek Nieuwsblad Crux
Coronavirus and the Talmud by Adam Kirsh Tablet Magazine
Pandemic narrows Americans' cultural distance from death and dying by Jesse Remedios National Catholic Reporter Link to End of Life
Trump is a ‘big egotistical loser’ says Christian finance expert in stimulus Twitter rant by Bob Smietana Religion News Service Link to
The Religious Left and the Atheistic Right by Chase Padusniak Patheos
Vatican arrests former diplomat after child pornography probe by Philip Pullella Reuters Link to Pornography Challenges
As dioceses face coronavirus money woes, Knights of Columbus offer line of credit by Catholic News Agency/Angelus
Pandemic exacerbates fear, challenges for undocumented immigrants by Sophie Vodvarka National Catholic Reporter Link to United State Immigration Challenges
Rome mayor meets with Pope Francis; endorses Caritas campaign by Elise Ann Allen Crux Link to Poverty
One man's mission to build churches by Kamran Chaudhry UCANews.com
India’s executions won’t end a pandemic of violence against women by Satpal Singh Religion News Service Link to Sexual Violence Against Women
Dan Lipinski, One of the Last Pro-Life Democrats, Discusses Abortion and His Party by Lauretta Brown National Catholic Register Link to Abortion
Bishops dismayed at decision to allow home abortion by Simon Caldwell CNS/The Tablet
BreakingNews over 200,000 people at March for Life in Poland - Annual Pro-Life March in 130 Cities by Jesus Caritas Est Catholic World Report
From Contemplating Murder to Honoring Mary: The Marian Apparition at Tre Fontane by Rachel Lanz National Catholic Register Link to Murder
How Hospital Chaplains Are Bringing the Faith to Workers, Patients and Families by Currents News/New Evangelization Television (NET)
A new way to think about the ‘consistent ethic of life’. Being pro-life shouldn’t be about individual issues, but rather about solidarity. by Steven P. Millies US Catholic Link to Other ProLife Challenges
Pope's April prayer intention: 'Liberation from addictions' by Vatican News Link to Substance Use/Addiction
Philippine seminary takes in trapped tourists by Joseph-Peter-Valleja UCANews.com
USPS warns it might have to shutter by June as $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package provides no funding by Nichole Goodkind Fortune
Amid Critical Supply Shortage, FEMA Is Spending Millions to Protect Trump Properties by The Intercept/Reddit Link to Immoral Political Practices
Catholicism has a chance to help Africa during its pandemic ‘before’ by John L. Allen Jr. Crux
Digital boom creates evangelical silver lining to coronavirus lockdowns by Father Jeffrey F. Kirby America Link to Evangelization
Is God Punishing Us? by Sullivan McCormick, SJ The Jesuit Post
Remembering Dr Martin Luther King Jr 52 Years after his Assassination by Skanner New
The Hate Store: Amazon’s Self-Publishing Arm Is a Haven for White Supremacists by Ava Kofman ProPublica Link to White Supremacy
Kennedy family pays tribute to Maeve and Gideon after tragic disappearance and death by IrishCentral Staff IrishCentral
Raphael revisited: Vatican offers virtual tour 500 years after artist’s death by CNA Daily News/Catholic World Report Link to Spirituality and Art
Please support one of our organizations, colleagues, and friends who need help
Please send a donation for help save the life of my close friend Alwin Rex in India. Please read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? and send a donation of $10.00 or more to help cover his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont, New York 11003, USA with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor. Thank you Gordon Nary Editor, Profiles in Catholicism
Please help Francis Otieno care for children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. He desperately needs your.donations. Thank you Gordon Nary
When Children are Set Free by Father Shay Cullen Preda Foundation
Book Reviews/Commentaries
Forbidden-Fruit- Life-and-Catholicism-in-contemporary-Ireland by Declan Henry Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Healthy Leadership in Healthcare: The Pope Francis Formula by Erny Gillen Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Catholic Guide to Mindfulness by Susan Brinkmann Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Blue Sky by Ed and Janice Hird Reviewed by Francis EtheredgeProfiles in Catholicism
A Love Supreme by John O’Brien, Frater, OFM (Franciscan) Reviewed by Francis Etheredge Profiles in Catholicism
Death in Hamburg: Society and Politics in the Cholera Years, 1830–1910 Reviewed by Gordon A. Craig The New York Review of Books
Apeirogon by Colum McCann Reviewed by Jonathan Harounoff Religion News Service
The Disappearing People: The Tragic Fate of Christians in the Middle East by Stephen Rasche Reviewed by Christopher White Crux
Annunciation: A Call to Faith in a Broken World by Sally Read Commentary by Claire Giangravé Religion News Service
The Betrothed.(I Promessi Sposi) by Alessandro Manzon Commentary by John L. Allen Jr. Crux
The Betrothed by Primo Levi and Alessandro Manzoni Commentary by Frederick BrandfundTablet
Film Reviews/Commentaries
Star Trek: Picard Reviewed by Titus Techera The Catholic World Report
Television Reviews/Commentaries
HBO’s ‘McMillions’ offers a surprising tale of true crime and redemption by Bob Smietana Religion News Service
Unorthodox on Netflix by Ida Skovnand Tablet
Obituaries
Feasting with the Saints
Closing Prayer
A Prayer for Those Who Have Made Donations to Profiles in Catholicism
God most kind,
Bless all those who have supported Profiles in Catholicism
with their donations and kind words of support.
Let their generosity bear much fruit.
Let those of us who benefit from this publication
be ever mindful of them and grateful for their gift. Amen
by Father Louis Cameli Profiles In Catholicism
Videos
Prayer and “urbi et orbi” blessing presided over by pope francis
Emergencies and charity. A reflection by cardinal luis antonio tagle
Cardinal blase cupich offers a reflection on the covid-19 crisis
Dr. Fauci explains the timeline and risks of creating a covid-19 vaccine by msnbc
Experts explain: largest measles outbreak
Putting down roots
He died and met god, and he wasn't ready.
Holy rosary with fr. Chris
Canto gregoriano - coro de monjes del monasterio benedictino de santo domingo de silos