Many dioceses and bishops are trying to respond to this crisis in real time, coming up with plans and policies to save souls and safeguard priests and lay people, and help halt the spread of a pandemic.
Things that should be thought through carefully, checked twice, and consulted on are being rushed out.
It’s no one’s fault. People are trying their best, for the best reasons.
But common sense still needs to be applied, and when necessary policies revised and clarified.
It’s no one’s fault. People are trying their best, for the best reasons.
But common sense still needs to be applied, and when necessary policies revised and clarified.
For example, if a priest encounters a “case of extreme emergency for baptism” there probably isn’t time to get the bishop on the phone, and “seeking permission” for situations of danger of death is not something canon law would likely support in such a case. 
It’s important that the Church’s essential nature and mission not be forgotten.
Even as we struggle to juggle competing concerns: Salus animarum suprema lex. Nunc et semper.
Even as we struggle to juggle competing concerns: Salus animarum suprema lex. Nunc et semper.
