In a March 28 note, Bruni confirmed that a monsignor, who works in the Vatican Secretariat of State and lives in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis lives, did test positive for the coronavirus and, “as a precaution”, was hospitalised.

The Italian newspaper Il Messaggero and the Jesuit-run America magazine published reports on March 25 about the monsignor testing positive.

Bruni said that, as of March 28, the Vatican health service had conducted more than 170 tests for the virus. No one else who lives at the Domus Sanctae Marthae tested positive, Bruni said.

As soon as the monsignor tested positive, he said, his room and office were sanitised and all the people he had come into contact with over the preceding days were contacted.

“The health authorities carried out tests on the people in closest contact with the positive individual,” Bruni said. “The results confirmed the absence of other positive cases” among the residents of the Vatican guesthouse, but another employee of the Holy See who was in “close contact with the official” did test positive.

That brings to six the number of people in the Vatican who have tested positive, he said.

The Vatican press office had confirmed the first four cases on March 24. The first, already confirmed by the Vatican on March 6, was a priest from Bergamo who had a routine pre-employment exam at the Vatican health clinic. After he was discovered with symptoms, the clinic was closed temporarily for special cleaning, and the five people with whom the priest had come into contact were put under a preventive quarantine.

There were reports at the same time that the offices of the Secretariat of State were closed temporarily for a thorough cleaning.

The Vatican did not say when the next three people tested positive, but it said one worked in the Vatican warehouse and two worked at the Vatican Museums.

All four, the Vatican said March 24, “were placed in precautionary isolation” before their test results came back. “The isolation has already lasted more than 14 days; currently they are receiving care in Italian hospitals or in their own homes.”

Both America magazine and Il Messaggero said Pope Francis was unlikely to have had contact with the monsignor from the Secretariat of State who tested positive. Both reported that Pope Francis has been eating his meals in his room rather than the dining room since coming down with a bad cold after Ash Wednesday, February 26.

While the Vatican has cancelled all group meetings, Pope Francis continues to meet with individuals each day.

News reports said the Pope and his guests use hand sanitiser before and after the meetings.

Photo: Pope Francis raises the monstrance during eucharistic adoration at the end of Mass March 26, 2020, in the chapel of his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. (CNS Photo/Vatican media)

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The Italian government has taken measures in response. On March 9 it extended “red zone” restrictions already in place in the north to all of Italy, discouraging people nationwide from all unessential travel and from leaving their homes unless it was for work, getting food, medicines or seeing a doctor. Churches and places of worship in Italy were allowed to stay open, but they had to guarantee people stayed three feet apart and avoided congregating. All civil and religious ceremonies like weddings and funerals are not allowed until after April 3. 

After the Italian government issued a decree barring the celebration of all “civil and religious ceremonies, including funerals”, the Italian bishops announced the suspension of public Masses until April 3. 

Further restrictions followed by Government order, including the closure of all businesses except grocery stores, pharmacies, newsstands and other essential services. 

NZ Catholic spoke to New Zealand priest Fr Peter Janssen, SM, who is assistant priest in Pratola Peligna, a town with 9000 inhabitants in the Diocese of Sulmona in the Abruzzo region of Italy, about how he and people in the parish (which includes a shrine to Our Lady of Deliverance — initially from a plague in 1500AD), are faring at this time. 

NZC: Fr Janssen, how have the current restrictions affected your life and ministry? 

Fr Janssen: Even though there are no cases in our town and only 30 in the whole region, we are all behaving as if there were infected people or unwitting asymptomatic carriers living here. Our ministry has been severely curtailed by the order forbidding aggregations of people. For instance, we had our first funeral here since the expansion of the red zone. It was very brief and held at the cemetery rather than the church. Only the closest family members, who might be expected to share a house anyway, were present, and notably no one from out of town. Our ministry of direct pastoral contact is reduced to almost nil. A certain amount is still maintained through social media. It is all terribly frustrating. 

NZC: The Pope has prayed that priests would find the courage to visit those who are sick and offer accompaniment to health care professionals and volunteers working during the coronavirus pandemic, while also keeping themselves and others safe. What are your plans in this regard? 

Fr Janssen: Some people whose confession I regularly hear and to whom I take communion let it be known that they do not want anyone visiting them, even/especially the priest, who might be a carrier of contagion caught from other sick people. Perhaps they are right, because we do not know enough about this virus. No one can say for sure how long the incubation period is and the symptoms seem to be on a spectrum from asymptomatic to regular flu-like to deadly pneumonia. Even the medical advice is changing subtly. At one stage those with flu-like symptoms were encouraged to stay home and ride it out, but now they are finding that, when such types eventually have to go to hospital, . . . they are amongst the worst cases. My instinct is to be a modern-day Charles Borromeo, and go out of my way to visit the sick and even nurse them. Fortunately, at the moment it is a hypothetical question. There are no cases near about — and please God there will not be — but reasonably, I would expect those who are really sick and fearful to be ministered to by the hospital chaplains. Of course, I would be available to help out there.   

NZC: How have your parishioners reacted to the suspension of public Masses until April 3? How do you feel about it? 

The most common response is a disappointed resignation. To me it seems to be too drastic a move to suspend all public Masses — we should have more faith. But on the other hand, Italy is far from being the country of faith that it once was. The government had to extend the red zone to the whole country because (mainly) university students and school teachers treated the original two-week closure of schools and universities as holiday time. Only, they were frustrated that in their zone all places of entertainment were closed, so tens of thousands of them “escaped” to the ski fields and the South of Italy to enjoy their unexpected “holiday”. The North has much better medical resources than the South. Even in the North they are struggling to cope, but the death toll in the South would be horrendous if the virus were allowed to spread there. Unfortunately, when people will not do the right thing out of Christian care for one’s neighbour or out of civic conscience, they have to be taught and constrained. Perhaps the Church has also to play an exemplary role in that. 

NZC: Is your parish doing live-streaming of Masses over the Internet? What is being done in your parish to help people spiritually? (And practically?) 

Fr Janssen: All Masses are now private (only our religious community) in our house chapel. They are not streamed, but at the hour when Mass is on, parishioners are encouraged to participate spiritually. The Bishop of Sulmona has made his Masses available on YouTube and there is no shortage of Masses transmitted over TV. It is a totally new situation for us as well, so we are doing what we can, and as permitted by the regulations now in force, but it is rather ad hoc. Maintaining contact through social media and the parish website is more important than ever. 

NZC: Are people in your town/village fearful about the virus and doing things like panic-shopping? Are people too fearful, in your opinion? 

Fr Janssen: As far as I can tell, no one is fearful enough to go in for panic-buying or stockpiling. In this region there are so few confirmed cases that it all seems a long way away. The hyper-coverage in the media, if anything, is having a desensitising effect. 

NZC: What are you saying to people to encourage them at this time? 

Fr Janssen: I tell them to pray to Madonna della Libera — she saved Pratola from the plague and many other disasters before and she can do it again.  

NZC: Are people coming into your church to pray? 

Fr Janssen: Yes, but not as many as usual. Because all the shops and cafés are closed, no one is venturing out much. 

NZC: How is your own health? Do you worry that you might catch the virus? 

Fr Janssen: Right now, I am in good, if not perfect, health. However, if I get a cold, I have a tendency to develop bronchitis. Apparently, that is an indicator of those who might be expected to suffer more severe symptoms should they contract the virus. So, short of wearing a face mask, I’m taking all reasonable precautions.  

NZC: What can we in New Zealand do to help? 

Fr Janssen: Prayer! Please pray for the sufferers and those who fear for their health and/or livelihood. Especially, please pray for the medical staffs of the hospital intensive care units. They are becoming exhausted, physically, emotionally and mentally. I would love to be able to tell the parishioners that the New Zealand Church is praying in solidarity with them. 

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“Effective immediately, all Masses are to cease until further notice. Churches may remain open seven days a week for private prayers and reflection, but parish priests should ensure that numbers of people present remain small and follow Ministry of Health social distancing guidelines to stay at least 2 metres from each other,” the bishops statement said.

Funeral services are allowed “but they must be brief and only with small numbers of close family and friends allowed. Those attending must also follow Ministry of Health guidelines for social distancing”.

On the other hand, baptisms, weddings and other public liturgical gatherings already planned may proceed but only with very small numbers of close family and friends present.

Future public liturgical gatherings will not be approved. Those in the planning stages should be delayed until further notice.

“Your bishops must emphasise the serious nature of the Government restrictions and announcements of the past 24 hours – New Zealand’s borders have been closed to all non-NZ residents; indoor public gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned, as have all outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people,” the bishops statement continued.

“The Government has imposed these and other measures to try to stop the Covid-19 virus from being passed on within the New Zealand community; closing the borders and strictly limiting public gatherings are seen as important ways to achieve this.”

The bishops said they know there will be many people disappointed with this announcement but added that Pope Francis, himself, set the international example by not celebrating Masses in public.

The bishops are looking at live-streaming of Mass. Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn has recorded this coming Sunday’s Mass and it will be shown through the diocese’s website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz . The Hamilton diocese also made available on-line daily Mass on their diocesan website, www.cdh.org.nz.

Online resources for those who wish to pray at home, especially on Sundays, and to follow daily Mass online are offered at www.nlo.org.nz or on your local Diocesan website.

“We again emphasise to all parishioners the importance of good practices of hygiene, including regular washing of hands, covering coughs and sneezes with elbows not hands, staying at home if sick, and keeping a reasonable distance from other people when in public,” the bishops statement said.

The bishops said they will continue to send updates as soon as new developments happen.

The bishops full statement below:

Temporary suspension of all Masses due to Covid-19 coronavirus

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have been carefully considering the steps they need to take with Mass and other public liturgical gatherings because of the strong Government restrictions on public gatherings to counter the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Effective immediately, all Masses are to cease until further notice. Churches may remain open seven days a week for private prayers and reflection, but parish priests should ensure that numbers of people present remain small and follow Ministry of Health social distancing guidelines to stay at least 2 metres from each other.

Funeral services may continue but they must be brief and only with small numbers of close family and friends allowed. Those attending must also follow Ministry of Health guidelines for social distancing.

Baptisms, weddings and other public liturgical gatherings already planned may proceed but only with very small numbers of close family and friends present; again, those attending must follow Ministry of Health guidelines for social distancing.

Public liturgical gatherings not yet planned must not be approved and should be delayed until further notice. Funeral services will continue but with small numbers; these services will also meet safe practices and must be brief.

Your bishops must emphasise the serious nature of the Government restrictions and announcements of the past 24 hours – New Zealand’s borders have been closed to all non-NZ residents; indoor public gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned, as have all outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.  The Government has imposed these and other measures to try to stop the Covid-19 virus from being passed on within the New Zealand community; closing the borders and strictly limiting public gatherings are seen as important ways to achieve this.

Your bishops’ announcement today will disappoint many people, but it will also be welcomed by others.  It also follows identical moves by Catholic bishops in many other countries.  Pope Francis is himself setting the international Church example by not celebrating public Masses.

Your bishops and a number of dioceses are looking at live-streaming of Mass. Online resources for those who wish to pray at home, especially on Sundays, and to follow daily Mass online are offered at www.nlo.org.nz or on your local Diocesan website.

We again emphasise to all parishioners the importance of good practices of hygiene, including regular washing of hands, covering coughs and sneezes with elbows not hands, staying at home if sick, and keeping a reasonable distance from other people when in public.

The official public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic is changing quickly and frequently. The primary concern of your Bishops is the safety of all parishioners, clergy, families, friends, staff and visitors to our many and varied premises.

We will continue to send updates as soon as new developments happen.

✠ Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland and NZCBC President

✠ Steve Lowe, Bishop of Hamilton and NZCBC Secretary

✠ John Dew, Cardinal Archbishop of Wellington

✠ Paul Martin, Bishop of Christchurch

✠ Michael Dooley, Bishop of Dunedin

✠ Michael Gielen, Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland

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“We have heard a short time ago that gatherings of more than 100 people are to be cancelled. This will have significant implications for Sunday Mass and our Easter celebrations. We are carefully and calmly reviewing the advice from the Ministry of Health and will keep you informed of all decisions we have been obliged to make,” he said.

The bishop said he would give people more information as it came to hand.

Bishop Dunn reiterated his earlier call for people who are ill or self-isolating to “just stay at home”.

“The Mass is the core and source of our Catholic identity. But if you are ill, self-isolating or believe that attending Mass would put others at risk, please stay home,” he said.

“You are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass under these circumstances. Older adults, people with underlying medical conditions, and family members of such individuals should take special care in discerning Mass attendance,” the bishop added.

Bishop Dunn said he will be celebrating an “on-line Mass” this Sunday that can be accessed through the Auckland Catholic diocese website. (www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz)

“There is also a range of existing options from other places which are listed on our Liturgy Centre website. We are also engaging with radio and television broadcasters to investigate other means of presenting our liturgies,” he said.

The bishop said he will keep updating people on the measures the diocese is taking to keep people safe. “As we know, this is a rapidly-changing situation,” he said.

“At times like these, our faith will help sustain us, and united with Christ we are never alone. Just as Jesus will never abandon us, so too is the Church committed to walking alongside all who are distressed and suffering,” Bishop Dunn stressed.

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“The parishioner appeared well and showed no symptoms of any illness,” Bishop Dunn said.

“The person became ill during the week.”

 Bishop Dunn said the parish was contacting parishioners, especially those who attended the same Mass as the person.

Older parishioners and those whose health might not be the best were being particularly contacted.

 “I am advised by health experts that the risk to others at that Mass of contracting Covid-19 is low,” Bishop Dunn said.

“This is because the risk of Covid-19 being passed on by someone not showing symptoms is regarded as low.

“The wellbeing of our parishioners is our first priority, which is why we started to contact them as soon as we became aware today that a parishioner had been diagnosed with Covid-19,” Bishop Dunn said.

Bishop Dunn said the 5pm Vigil Mass at St Mary’s today and the 8.30am and 10.30am Masses tomorrow would go ahead as normal, because the risk of transmission was regarded as low for persons without symptoms.

Parishioners would be given advice before they entered, and the choice whether to attend.

“Nobody should fear going to Mass,” said Bishop Dunn.

“Our best advice is that the chance of catching any illness in Mass is very low, especially if you heed the standard health advice to wash your hands, avoid close contact with anyone who is ill, and stay at home if you feel ill yourself.”

Bishop Dunn, who is president of the NZ Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said the Church had been in close regular contact with the Ministry of Health since the Covid19 pandemic began in China and had issued regular updates to parishes on precautions that needed to be taken at Mass.

Following advice of the Ministry, the Catholic Church throughout New Zealand this week stopped the use of shared holy water from fonts, communion on the tongue, or from the chalice, and shaking hands or other physical contact at the Sign of Peace during Mass.

These practices have always been optional for individuals.

This was in addition to the standard advice for parishes emphasising the importance of good hygiene practices, including regular washing of hands, covering coughs and sneezes with elbows not hands, and staying at home if feeling sick.

Photo: MurdochNewman: Wikimedia Commons

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The Mass was celebrated by Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Herne Bay on February 8. Five priests concelebrated — Frs Peter Choy, Francis Poon, Martin Wu, Anthony Malone, OFM, and Francis Lau, who was visiting from Hong Kong.

The Chinese Lunar New Year for 2020 — ushering in the Year of the Rat — took place on January 25, but the Auckland Chinese Catholic Community decided to wait until Fr Choy, its chaplain, returned from Tahiti (his home diocese) to celebrate the occasion.

At the Mass, Bishop Dunn said in his homily that those “who are born during the Year of the Rat are said to be inquisitive, shrewd and resourceful”.

“We pray that scientists with these qualities will soon find a way to control the spread of the coronavirus, which is bringing fear to so many in China and around the world during this New Year season.”

On January 31, the World Health Organisation declared a global health emergency.

“The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a report on the BBC website.

The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems.

As of February 14, there had been 60,416 confirmed cases worldwide, with 1370 deaths, as well as 8043 listed as in a severe condition and 6210 recoveries. All but 588 of the cases and three of the deaths were in mainland China. Most people infected experience a mild illness, a Radio New Zealand article stated.

As NZ Catholic went to press, there were no confirmed or suspected cases in New Zealand. However, the Ministry of Health confirmed the first case of the virus on February 28, 2020.

At the Auckland Mass, Fr Choy told the congregation that we “continue to pray for departed brothers and sisters with this coronavirus. And for all the medical people, doctors and nurses and volunteers, trying to fight against this virus. May God bless all of them, all the people of good will in China and elsewhere”.

After the Mass, Auckland Chinese Catholic Community chairman Bernard Mak told NZ Catholic that everyone is concerned about the coronavirus situation, not just the Chinese community.

However, he did not know of anyone from the local Chinese Catholic community currently in Wuhan, the centre of the health emergency.

But there have been reports in local media about an increase in casual racism against Chinese people in New Zealand since news of the health emergency broke. Mr Mak said that “I guess we are all a bit concerned [about that]”.

“But I still feel that it is OK,” he added, “I have lived in Auckland for a long time, I actually graduated from Auckland University (in computer science). I don’t actually feel it so far myself.”

A lunar new year dinner for the Auckland Chinese Catholic Community planned to take place after the Mass was cancelled. Mr Mak said this was in line with the precautionary approach taken by the wider Chinese community, in consultation with local government authorities, in cancelling the annual Lantern Festival at the Auckland Domain.

NZ Catholic understands that there were also some concerns among Chinese Catholic community members at having to ask individuals or families if they were suffering any illnesses before they could attend the planned dinner.

The National Liturgy Office has sent out a letter to parishes regarding the novel coronavirus and its possible impact in New Zealand in relation to the reception of Holy Communion. Should outbreaks of the virus be recorded in New Zealand, up-to-date information and clear procedures will be implemented, the letter stated.

Reminders were given over possibly taking Communion hosts and not the chalice, the raised risk of infection by taking Communion on the tongue, restricting bodily contact at the Sign of Peace for people at risk, and health precautions for extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.

While it is not necessary at this stage to impose uniform practices, this will be done if necessary, the letter stated.

“At this time, all parishioners are asked to take precautions to ensure their own good health and the safety of others. Parishes will be asked to take extra cautions if these are deemed necessary.”

During his Sunday Angelus address on January 26, Pope Francis expressed condolences to the victims of the virus and his support for efforts to fight its spread.

“I wish to be close to, and pray for, the people who are sick because of the virus that has spread through China,” the Pope said. “May the Lord welcome the dead into his peace, comfort families and sustain the great commitment by the Chinese community that has already been put in place to combat the epidemic.”

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