COVID-19 Coronavirus: Germany, initiatives from Dioceses of Mainz, Augsburg and Freiburg. Bishop Kohlgraf quarantined

Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz, who is currently quarantined, does not see a “dark” future despite the coronavirus crisis. On his Facebook page, he wrote today: “One of the most commonly used words in the newspapers is ‘dreary’. But in the texts of the Catholic Church’s Lauds, I found a lot of comfort: Psalm 98, which was chosen for this Wednesday, reads: ‘Rejoice, sing, play!’. Prayer helps us to discover the beauty in small things”. Bishop Kohlgraf has been under quarantine since last Friday after he got in contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19. He will respect the 2-week self-isolation period required by health authorities. In Augsburg, the newly appointed bishop Mgr. Bertram Meier invited the faithful of the diocese to pray the 5 Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary on Thursday, 19 March. “Let us pray the Rosary together for all those who suffer from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic”; Mgr. Meier also invited the faithful to hang a white cloth and place a candle in their windows. Church bells across the diocese will ring to remind people of the prayer. Archbishop Stephan Burger of Freiburg urged the faithful to shape their personal lives and faith “in a way that does not jeopardise the common good and the lives of others, especially those at risk, by not contributing to the spread of coronavirus”. Mgr. Burger stressed that this also includes “actively supporting all government's efforts to contain the crisis, even if this restricts our free practice of religion”. The streaming of Mass from Freiburg Cathedral will take place at 18:30 on weekdays and from 10am on Sundays.Marco Calvarese