The government of New South Wales, Australia, and the Catholic leadership have both opposed the closing of schools. This is a refreshing break from the panic, and even hysteria, of the world in instituting lockdowns and effectively shutting down society. As I have said, we must consider that the cure could be worse than the disease.
We are already seeing the economic impact of lockdowns. Daily wage earners are not earning. Businesses are shutting down. Economic activity is grinding to a halt. Life is on hold. When these happen, it can become devastating. What could come next? There can be riots, break-ins to stores and homes, robberies, or worse. There would be societal chaos.
We of course should be prudent and cautious. Perhaps if there is really a need to lock down, then let that be done. But let us not go overboard. Let us look to the right balance and timing.
This is especially the case with our Catholic Church. Our bishops should not be quick to cancel Masses and lock down churches. They should not just look to the secular wisdom of the world but look to the inscrutable wisdom of God. Even Slovakia, a Central European country with a population of 5.4 million, of which 75% are Catholic, with only 124 COVID-19 infections and no deaths, has cancelled all Masses, liturgies and ecclesial services. This makes no sense to me.
In a time of mass hysteria, let there be no hysteria as to Masses. In a time of mass illnesses, let us look to the healing qualities of the Mass. In a time of shut downs, let our churches be opened up.
God bless and protect you all.
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Archbishop steps in to stop Catholic school closures across NSW
We should not break ranks": Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher.CREDIT:PETER RAE
The country's most senior archbishop has blocked a plan by the state's 11 Catholic dioceses to defy government policy and close their schools.
The three school sectors' hard-won consensus to keep NSW schools open was on the verge of collapse before Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Education Minister Dan Tehan rang Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher on Wednesday to ask him to intervene.
Mr Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian both insisted on Wednesday that schools should remain open for the "foreseeable future", saying a prolonged, premature closure was unlikely to stop the spread of COVID-19 and could make it worse, while devastating the economy.
There is a view among senior education officials that if major schools or systems close,
the pressure to shut down the public system would be overwhelming.
Article published by TheSydneyMorningHerald For the full article, click here.
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