Dario Salvi

Christian leaders of the Holy Land it is "our responsibility" to console those who grieve and are sick. The world experiences a state of fear, anxiety and ambiguity as it faces the new coronavirus pandemic. In death and suffering God is present and invites us to "look to the future".

For Fr Rafic, the emergency triggered by the pandemic "is bringing Christians and Muslims closer”. Family members call each other; young people bring medicines and help to their elders. The government has taken steps to counter the pandemic. Churches (and mosques) have been closed. The Internet and social media are the venue for maintaining social ties and following religious services.

The case in the government-controlled southern province of Hadramawt involves a port employee, who is in stable conditions. Saudi Arabia’s unilateral truce has been in effect since yesterday. For the Vicar of Arabia, COVID-19 might paradoxically have a "positive effect" for the conflict.

The coronavirus is cutting income and consumption levels for many families and could have a greater impact than the 2008 financial crisis. Many countries could revert to poverty levels last seen in the early 1990s. Up to a billion people would be in "extreme poverty", with another four billion living on just US$5.50 a day.

Blue Marist Dr Nabil Antaki slams the punitive measures that hinder the fight against the pandemic. Today in Aleppo there are no ventilators and beds in intensive care units, essential if the virus spreads. In the city some people show COVID-19 symptoms but have tested negative.

The bipartisan movement calls for trade and easing of sanctions. To overcome the Covid-19 threat, divisions between governments must be overcome. In the Islamic Republic mosques and mausoleums transformed into centers for the production of masks and sanitary material.

In Syria churches are closed, masses and celebrations forbidden to the faithful who follow the functions "in their thousands" online. The illusion of the end of the conflict and the new health emergency, now "everything has stopped once more". Rediscover the value of the domus ecclesiae and the centrality of the sacraments.

Since the introduction of the 2016 law, 1568 churches have been legalized out of 5540 requests. CSW activist: positive step by the authorities in the fight against the "historic injustices" that affect Christians. But more efforts are needed to tackle practices that limit freedom of worship.

ʿAsīr governor is urging people to learn from Mary's perseverance. Trust in God, strength to survive and courage in difficult times make her a "true victor". Saudi Arabia has the highest number of cases among Arab Gulf nations.

In his Easter message, the cardinal stresses the "dark days" in which hope "is strangled" by "despair". COVID-19 is an "angel of death" and "nothing will be the same again." For the Church, it is time to accompany the world to the resurrection with “justice and human solidarity".

The Archbishop calls for 24-hours of prayer from 7 pm tonight to the same time tomorrow. The toll in the city-state is over 1300 infections, six victims and 320 recoveries. For Msgr. Goh the virus has shown the inadequacy of governments in containing the spread. He prays for mercy from God for a wounded humanity.

In his message to the faithful, the cardinal stresses hope of a pass-over "from darkness to light,” from “suffering to freedom; from selfishness to altruism and from isolation to solidarity". Politicians have the task of rethinking development, protecting creation and building a world without wars, death, and poverty.