‘The Church Was Not Prepared’

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TRANSCRIPT

A representative of the Vatican admits the Church was not prepared for the Wuhan virus pandemic.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre is apostolic nuncio — the pope's ambassador to the United States. He told Catholic News Service in an interview on May 6 "the Church was not prepared" for the Wuhan virus lockdowns.

In response to those upset at the bishops for banning public worship, the nuncio claimed bishops feel the pain as well, remarking, "First and foremost, they all suffer."

Back in March, every single diocese in the country instituted a ban on public Mass.

Some bishops went so far as to ban priests from offering confession, baptism and other sacraments.

Increasingly, prominent figures within the Church — like Cdl. Raymond Burke — have called on priests to find creative solutions for bringing their flocks the sacraments in these dark times.

Burke: "I've read some stories about priests who were so committed to helping a poor dying person, they went to the hospital ... ."

A handful of backwater dioceses have begun a gradual process of reopening. But it's unknown how long it will be before the rest of the Church returns to normal.

Most dioceses remain on lockdown, and faithful Catholics are becoming irate, having gone over a month without publicly participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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