Christians experience an “Easter of solitude” as the globe is seized by the pandemic.
Father Giulio Dellavite, 48, was one of the lucky few allowed into Bergamo’s main cathedral Sunday for Easter Mass. But this year, before leaving for church, he needed to sign government-mandated form, explaining his reasons for being on the road. He felt he needed to wear a mask and gloves. Then, after Mass, he planned to return to his residence for lunch with the other clerics — “the ones who are still here,” he said.
Before him were 13 cameramen, two print journalists, a security guard, a quartet of choir singers, and another quartet — four talkative black birds, darting between the nooks of the cathedral’s soaring ceiling, making the only noise to interrupt Anthony Muheria’s echoing sermon. While the coronavirus hasn’t devastated Kenya, it has prompted stringent and painful containment measures. Masks must be worn in public. Travel is largely banned. A dusk-to-dawn curfew is in effect. Police have enforced it brutally, killing and injuring dozens. A day before Easter, the government banned all unauthorized aid-giving after a stampede for food in a slum killed two.“Death for us in Kenya is almost a business. We thrive in calamity, but not in life,” he said.
“Even in the dark days of this Easter we can feed on hope. We can dream of what our country and our world will look like after the pandemic,” Welby said. What Gloria Ribeiro, 40, saw surprised her. Father Marcelo Rossi, one of Brazil’s most popular priests, was administering Mass before hundreds of empty seats. Each chair bore the image of a family who couldn’t come to the service. Only four people appeared to be in attendance — two priests and two musicians. Their voices echoed through the Mother of God Sanctuary, a massive auditorium in São Paulo.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Katie Price spends Easter with Harvey as she misses her other kids at EasterKatie and Harvey took to Instagram to wish everyone a Happy Easter despite being on lockdown amid the coronavirus outbreak
Read more »
As Christians Mark Easter in Isolation, Pope Francis Proclaims ‘Contagion of Hope’Under restrictions imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, millions marked Easter Sunday at home, unable to receive Communion but in many cases watching their priests or ministers on TV or over the internet.
Read more »
‘The Strangest Easter’: Coronavirus Clamps Down on Services Across the WorldSocial-distancing requirements forced churches around the world to hold Easter services in empty cathedrals on Sunday, as health officials in some countries cautioned that a drop in new coronavirus infections was likely due to a decline in testing on the holiday weekend.
Read more »
16 beautiful celebrity gardens to inspire you this EasterSee the gardens of David and Victoria Beckham, Lorraine Kelly, Amanda Holden and more stars.
Read more »
Spain sees slowing coronavirus toll, holds virtual Easter paradesThe coronavirus death toll curve in Spain flattened further on Friday as the government prepared to start easing one of the world's strictest lockdowns and virtual Easter celebrations were held instead of traditional processions.
Read more »
How to watch Andrea Bocelli's Easter concert live from Duomo Cathedral in MilanThe acclaimed opera singer will offer a special Easter concert to stream on YouTube for fans across the world.
Read more »