Thinking of all the people who are living these days with strong and growing concern the emergency linked to the Coronavirus, the Dicastery invites everyone to strengthen the Lenten time with the practices of prayer, fasting and charity.
The Dicastery therefore joins the "Fasting and prayer day" proposed by the Diocese od Rome and the Cardinal Vicar Angelo De Donatis for Wednesday 11 March 2020.
As Msgr. Bruno-Marie Duffé, Secretary of the Dicastery, commented: "We remain close, in prayer, to those who suffer from having contracted the disease, to their families, as well as to all those who are engaged in hospital and health care services. This difficult moment calls each of us to live with solidarity and compassion for our neighbor ". Therefore, continued Msgr. Duffé, "we invite everyone, according to their possibilities, to participate in this moment of prayer and fasting organized by the diocese of Rome in a spirit of communion and fraternity. It is a propitious occasion to rediscover our relationship with God and our love for each other. There is in fact a Christian way of living this time, which is that of hope and trust in the mercy of God for all His children ".
Finally, the Dicastery announces that, in compliance with the provisions issued by the Holy See and by the Vatican City State, as well as with the provisions of the Italian government, it will slow down its activities until April 3, 2020, by facilitating, wherever possible, outsourced work in smart-working mode.
(photo from diocesidiroma.it)