Bernardo Cervellera

In a Politburo meeting, televised to all the counties and military regiments, the Chinese president exalts the role of the Party in managing the crisis. The epidemic "has not changed the long-term fundamentals of China's economic growth." But Xi also kept silent about the infection alarm. Scientists: the virus had been present in Wuhan since November. And it came "from outside" the fish market. The hypothesis of the virus research laboratory (for war purposes).

A Holy See Press office statement was released yesterday evening at 9 pm. The importance of the provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops and the continuation of dialogue was stressed. Silence on the difficulties facing the Christian communities and pastors. Solidarity towards the population affected by the coronavirus. Boost in international cooperation. Wang Yi's criticised by the United States and Europe. A gesture of mercy towards China, often overly "demonized".

The list of people arrested and put "in isolation" over their concern for the coronavirus is getting longer. It includes: journalist and lawyer Chen Qiushi, philosophy professor Zhou Xuanyi, activist Guo Quan, "martyred" Dr Li Wenliang, Xie Linka of the Tumour Centre of Wuhan Union Hospital, and Liu Wen of the neurology department of the Red Cross Society Hospital. Doubts are growing about the WHO, which hasn’t conducted any independent check. Western countries have isolated China, but have also kept silent about its actions.

Coronavirus: another Sunday without mass (Photo)

The Chinese president needs to introduce new laws to prevent and control epidemics and improve punishment. No self-criticism for the silence on the coronavirus and the delay in leadership decisions. Xu Zhangrun, former law professor at Qinghua University: the tyranny and suppression of civil society at the root of the spread of the virus. Xu Zhiyong: Xi has to step down because he is "unable to manage crises".

In Vietnam and other Asian countries, celibacy is accepted as a gift and a responsibility. Vocations also grow in the universal missionary dimension. The great value of the book of Card. Robert Sarah and Benedict XVI on ecclesiastical celibacy. The mud-slinging of two groups in the Church: the ‘Team Francis’ and those anti-Bergoglio. It is time to learn from the Churches of Asia.

Although the government has decreed to send 150 military medics experienced with SARS and another 4,000 from other parts of the country, in Hubei (and China), there are no protective suits, goggles, hygiene masks rendering the employment of these new doctors impractical, if not putting them at risk of contagion. Deaths rise to 132, confirmed infections are now more than 6 thousand.

No tourist guides talk about this place which draws upwards of 5 million faithful on Marian feasts. A devotion that is also widespread among Buddhists and Protestants. After years of destruction, a new sanctuary is now emerging.

The Abbey of Our Lady of Phước Sơn is home to 220 monks, including 80 novices and postulants. In Vietnam, there are about 1,002 Cistercian monks and 244 Cistercian nuns.

At least five parishes have been closed, with electricity and water supplies cut off. These include Fuan, Saiqi and Suanfeng. "Fire safety" measures given as a justification, an excuse for persecution. Some priests have been kicked out. A home for the elderly kept by the nuns is also closed. Of the thirty guests, some are hosted by relatives, others are homeless. Official bishop Zhan Silu bypassed by the United Front. Some priests speak of Holy See’s having “too lightly” signed to the agreement.

From the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis pronounced his Christmas message and gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing (to the city of Rome and to the world). The Church offered her prayers partaking in situations that require particular attention in the Mideast (Syria, Lebanon, Holy Land, Iraq, Yemen), Africa (in particular the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria), and the Americas (with special attention to Venezuela). He made no explicit reference to Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Korea. Together with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby and former Moderator of the Church of Scotland John Chalmers, he appealed in a joint statement to the political leaders of South Sudan. “We are all called to give hope to the world, announcing with words and above all with the testimony of our life that Jesus, our peace, was born.”

In Europe, some school and civic authorities have banned crèches, Christmas carols, nativity recitals in order not to offend other religions. However, contempt for every religion, especially Catholicism, not respect for other religions, is the motive. People far from the faith make the crèche in an unacknowledged nostalgia for God. Crèches from Africa, from China, from Vietnam, from Peru tell something about missionaries. They too lived like Jesus: incarnation, patience, cultural immersion, tenderness and giving oneself.