If the coronovirus develops into a crisis situation here, what should Catholics do? What is even allowable?

  • Thread starter Thread starter annem
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

annem

Guest
Remember how ancient Romans like the physician Galen were staggered that early Catholics stayed in the city when the plague struck (Galen, a pagan, promptly fled). They tended to the sick, even though it meant many died. And throughout history - think of the nuns and priests who risked their lives during the Black Plague - Catholics have exposed themselves to deadly ailments to care for the ill.

For about two minutes, while listening to the news broadcasts about the virus, I wondered if I would risk my life for others, maybe go to the homeless in my city to care for them. For about two minutes I was dazzled by the idea of being a white martyr. And then I remembered three little children who truly need me.

So, what is the morality of this…who can risk themselves, and do you think many Catholics today would be ready to risk their lives?
 
annem said:
So, what is the morality of this…who can risk themselves, and do you think many Catholics today would be ready to risk their lives?
Click to expand...
In those days, they did not have health care in the way we do now. Professional doctors, nurses, hospitals, the CDC, WHO, etc.

The Christians ministered to the dieing, giving them comfort not necessarily medical treatment. The situation is entirely different given modern medicine. In places where there are high concentrations of people/infections/deaths, there may be need for Red Cross, the armed forces and national guard, plus other volunteer organizations to help. Whether you volunteer or support them in other ways such as donations depends on your situation and state in life. A married mother with three small children to care for is not really a candidate for going out into a field hospital situation.
 
1ke said:
In those days, they did not have health care in the way we do now. Professional doctors, nurses, hospitals, the CDC, WHO, etc
Click to expand...
Well, we still need clergy to avail themselves to anointing, offering confession, mass, etc… In antiquity, people may not have known about viruses and what not, but they knew that if they spent time around the sick, that they would be at greater risk of getting sick themselves.

From my own viewpoint, the level of faith people had throughout the history of the church is simply unparalleled in these modern times. I imagine the Saints in heaven shaking their heads as we argue and bicker over the “safety” of receiving communion. I’ll be the first to admit that my own faith isnt where it should be. On top of that I have always been a hypochondriac, but the reactions and fears comming out of the Church are to me suggestive of some deeper and more fundamental issues.
 
Last edited:
There is currently a shortage of health care professionals in the U.S. Our lab has five openings. We had seven, but apparently during my five days off (attended a skating competition across the country), two people were hired–PRAISES!

But we are still down by five people, and it’s awful. Since November, I have had an extra day of pay on my paychecks because of all the overtime that I’ve worked. We are working 10-12 hours on Saturdays to be able to finish the work.

So here’s the deal–there are plenty of opportunities for Christians to step up and devote their lives to helping the sick. Become a health care professional. Encourage your children to go into one of the health care professions (not just doctor or nurse).

I’m serious here! There IS a healthcare crisis–there simply aren’t enough doctors, nurses, Xray techs, PTs, Respiratory techs, lab techs, O.R. techs, pharmacists, phlebotomists, etc. Many PCTs/CNAs quit after only a few months because they are taking care of as many as 15 patients a shift–too many!

BTW, we have some volunteers in the hospital, mainly to bring flowers to rooms. But I cannot imagine having non-professionals doing any kind of patient care these days. Too many regulations and too much fear of lawsuits. A family member isn’t even allowed to help their loved one out of bed to go to the bathroom–they have to ring for a nurse or an aide (PCT, CNA, etc.).

So I doubt that even if we had a crisis, that non-professionals would be allowed to volunteer to help at bedside, other than praying with people and directing people to and from various locations in the hospital, clinic, or “tent” hospital.s
 
Last edited:
ThomasMT said:
Well, we still need clergy to avail themselves to anointing, offering confession, mass, etc…
Click to expand...
That wasn’t the question.

The question was about people going out (in the streets basically) to provide care for sick people. In particular the OP, who is married with 3 little children. In days past we did not have professional medical people and infrastructure. We do now.

Of course priests still see to the spiritual needs of people, sick or not. They can do so with appropriate protective equipment if necessary, as can professional medical personnel.
 
Last edited:
Fr. Mark Goring’s latest YouTube videos are on the subject of the Coronavirus, but more from a perspective of being prepared to be cut off from the world for two weeks (and the possibility that priests may not be available).
 
1ke said:
That wasn’t the question.
Click to expand...
For the most part, no… but I was focusing on a particular aspect of the question…
annem said:
So, what is the morality of this…who can risk themselves, and do you think many Catholics today would be ready to risk their lives?
Click to expand...
Priest are obviously part of the Catholic community so I wonder how they intend to serve their vocation, and what their moral obligations may be during times of crisis and fear.

As norseman pointed out…
Norseman82 said:
Fr. Mark Goring’s latest YouTube videos are on the subject of the Coronavirus, but more from a perspective of being prepared to be cut off from the world for two weeks (and the possibility that priests may not be available).
Click to expand...
I saw this video too, nothing against Father but basically, the attitude I’m getting is… go to confession while you can, and hang in there. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence D
 
Last edited:
You may disagree with the sound of Father’s message, but the simple truth is that we all should live every day as though it may be our last. I’ve known many people over my lifetime who’ve died suddenly—no warning, seemingly healthy, then suddenly dead, sometimes by accident, but also due to freak (unusual) hidden health problems not known until death and autopsy. Every single day, each of us should examine our conscience, aim for a perfect Act of Contrition, and make a firm commitment to avoid sin. Of course, we’re going to slip up here and there, and require absolution, but we need to keep the possibility of death on our radar, and prayer on our lips.
 
Last edited:
A little off topic… but

Stop watching/listening to money/hype/pill/sin driven mass media “news”.

If you must be fearful about something think about the seven hundred who wiil die this week on the roads. Not to mention the thousands who will be maimed.

How many of those could be saved with the nine billion they’re about to spend of the latest tongue-in-cheek plague.
 
Last edited:
Ok… Father is comming around, thank you for your leadership!

 
So, what is the morality of this…who can risk themselves, and do you think many Catholics today would be ready to risk their lives?
Click to expand...
We are never going to experience a plague like event ever again; the bubonic plague even today still pops up, and is quickly contained and treated. Simple things like washing hands, even back during the black plague, would dramatically cut the mortality rate. Today we have masks and other protective equipment.

That said, it is possible we could have a serious illness outbreak (the 2019 coronavirus is too mild to count). As long as on has the proper risk mitigation training, anyone would be allowed to help in a pandemic crisis, even those with children or dependents. It would reckless, and thus sinful, if one were to help without proper safety training, but when taking the best known precautions, risking one’s life in the service of others is not immoral.
 
Last edited:
If it does become widespread here (even though I don’t think it’s all it’s hyped up to be), I’ll still go to Mass. I’d rather risk getting sick than missing that.
 
We’re not required to risk ourselves in this manner. In Roman times they didn’t have technologically advanced and well structured healthcare. We do now. We have people who are trained to do this job. Also we should take the advice of our local health authorities which means staying away from infected persons to avoid spreading infection.
 
StudentMI said:
If it does become widespread here (even though I don’t think it’s all it’s hyped up to be), I’ll still go to Mass. I’d rather risk getting sick than missing that.
Click to expand...
In Italy, masses have been suspended in certain parts. The Church has the authority to suspend the Sunday obligation. Would you rather risk infecting others as well?
 
AdamP88 said:
In Italy, masses have been suspended in certain parts. The Church has the authority to suspend the Sunday obligation. Would you rather risk infecting others as well?
Click to expand...
Actually, today Sunday March 8th 2020, the Italian bishops suspended all public Masses including funerals) throughout the country until just before Palm Sunday.
 
40.png
What to do if you cannot go to Confession or Holy Communion due to the COVID-19 coronavirus How to make a Perfect Act of Contrition and a Spiritual Communion Traditional Catholicism
 
Of course not. I’m saying if I was fine and Masses were still occurring I’d go.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top