Beloved of God,
Health and peace

The novel Coronavirus pandemic is advancing in Brazil, and for this very reason, we are all called upon to dedicate greater attention to measures to prevent the disease. In this regard, I invite our faith communities to follow these recommendations, in line with the advice of public health experts:

1) Within our vicariates, episcopal regions, deaneries, parishes and other ecclesial bodies, suspend, for fifteen days, the holding of meetings, assemblies, seminars and other events that contribute to the gathering of people. If possible, reschedule activities already planned.

2) In faith communities and other ecclesial settings, redouble efforts regarding cleanliness and make it easier for the faithful to access hand sanitizer.

3) The elderly and infirm are exempt from the Catholic Christian obligation to attend weekly Masses. They may remain in communion and united with the faith community through celebrations broadcast by the Cathedral Network of Catholic Communication – TV Horizonte and Radio América.

4) It is important to suspend group confessions in parish communities. We ask priests to dedicate a special daily time to welcome the faithful who seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this Lenten season.

5) It is also recommended to suspend catechism classes for 15 days.

6) Whenever possible, we ask evangelizers to organize celebrations in open spaces, especially those that bring together larger groups, and to keep churches well-ventilated.

7) Everyone should follow the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, maintaining good hygiene habits.

8) It is important to exercise extra caution to avoid sharing fake news. Lies, in addition to hindering the fight against the disease, generate panic, worsening the situation.

9) In this sense, it is appropriate to check each piece of information received by researching it in other sources.

10) The guidelines published on February 26th remain in effect: receive Holy Communion in the hands, forgo the sign of peace, and do not hold hands during the Lord's Prayer.

11) Let us intensify, in every way possible, the promotion of moments of prayer and supplication to God to deliver us from this and many other evils that threaten life in society, strengthening health agents and professionals so that they may do everything necessary to overcome the threat of the Coronavirus and other illnesses.
We are closely monitoring developments to inform our future actions. For most people, the Coronavirus has symptoms similar to the flu, without major risks. The greatest concern is for the elderly and infirm. Let's take special care of these people, who are more vulnerable to the disease.

This challenge is an opportunity for a fresh start, for remodeling processes and adopting new ways of living in our common home, within the prophetic horizon of integral ecology. We are called to solidarity, to give genuine Christian witness, based on attitudes inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan, as requested by the 2020 Fraternity Campaign – Fraternity and life: gift and commitment. We cannot be indifferent. Instead, faced with those who suffer, we must learn to see the pain of others, to recognize it; to feel compassion and to care.

Our beloved Mother Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, inspire us on this path. May Christ the King bless the lives of all.

Bishop Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Belo Horizonte
President of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil

Source: arquidiocesebh.org.br