Sumon Corraya

Contagion cases are rising in the country. Doctors and nurses have left hospitals to avoid getting sick. Tithy Margaret Costa’s faith has helped her heal the sick. People are struggling to keep social distancing. Garment factories are reopening.

The lessons are organized on Facebook. Social confinement measures and economic blockade in the country. The local Catholic Church runs 1,000 schools, 17 colleges and a university. Catholics set up a fund to support the fight against coronavirus.

Bangladesh fears that, with its 165 million inhabitants and a density of 1,265 people per sq. km, the outbreak could spread further. The most serious problems are the lack of protective gear for doctors, or its low quality, as well as too many people staying in close proximity, and sick people hiding their symptoms. In Rajshahi the diocese is helping poor and unemployed tribal people.

Many who continue to work are not paid. The country is the second largest textile manufacturer in the world; the sector employs 4 million people. Without orders from abroad, the factory owners fire or do not pay the staff. Unions and Catholic Church: protect workers.

The Poor Clares are asking God to provide consolation to the sick, doctors, nurses, volunteers and all those fighting the virus. They also offer fasts and sacrifices. The isolation in which people find themselves is similar to the Sisters’ normal life of seclusion. People of different religions pray in unison for the end of the epidemic.

Refugees live crammed, without adequate health care. Rohingya Christians face even more dangers. Caritas is providing funds, information leaflets, masks and disinfectant. Humanitarian organisations are calling for greater press freedom and a stop to the construction of a barbed wire fence.

Police threaten an electrician for violating the quarantine. The epidemic hits daily labourers the hardest. The government does nothing to help the jobless. Catholic students donate food parcels to the poor who cannot work because of the lockdown of economic activities.

Sister Mary Christina is the principal of a Catholic girls' school in Gazipur (north of Dhaka). The school has about 1,600 students, mostly poor Muslims. She has been involved the educational apostolate for 36 years. Education prevents early marriages.

Bangladesh has reported its first three cases, involving people returning from Italy. India has 43 confirmed cases with 400 people in quarantine. A US tourist is positive in Bhutan. Tourism collapses in Sri Lanka. In Indonesia, dioceses are set to enforce hygiene standards.

Sermons, messages from the bishop and Sunday masses are broadcast online. The aim is "to nourish the spirit of the faithful who cannot participate in the liturgy". In Bangladesh, the day of rest is Friday. The videos are also appreciated by non-Catholics.

Some 50 youth from all of the country’s dioceses took part in the event. For one chaplain, “by training young people, we will create the leaders of future generations and the Church.” Student wants to “provide a holistic service to fellow citizens.”

Tejgaon parish celebrated five masses on Ash Wednesday with some 16,000 people attending. Some 7,000 boxes with offerings were collected for the poor. Parishioners pledge to save money on meat, fish and rickshaw travel on Lenten Fridays.