Coronavirus: Portsmouth's Catholic Bishop pleads with city not to forget those in difficulty

For all of us in this great city, Covid-19 is an unexpected and grave challenge.

Its effects can be seen even on our streets.

The other evening, as I walked along Commercial Road saying the Rosary, everywhere looked deserted.

I join the leaders of other faiths in Portsmouth to assure everyone of the prayers and love of the Catholic community.

I have asked for the cathedral and our churches to be kept open.

Although we are unable to offer public mass, I do want everyone to be able to visit God’s house, to have space for reflection, to say a prayer and to find solace in this time of need.

Praying is important for our human well-being as well as our spiritual.

We have a lot to pray about at the moment, not least for a speedy end to this crisis.

We should pray first for those who are sick, for the medical staff caring for the sick, and for the repose of all who have died.

I pray too for the elderly and vulnerable, for those in self-isolation, for anyone anxious and worried.

As we pray for financial security and stability, let us not forget to care for the homeless and the poorest.

People ask me why a loving God would allow all this to happen. I do not know the mind of the Lord.

What we do know is that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and that, in the words of St Paul, nothing can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.

* Mass and other liturgies are to be live-streamed. Bishop Philip explained: ‘Public Sunday and weekday masses are to be suspended.

‘I hereby temporarily release the faithful from the Sunday Obligation.

‘Instead, priests (parish priests and assistant priests) will say a daily mass in a church within their parish but without the faithful.’

All churches will remain open for prayers.

Bishop Egan added: ‘Sacraments are still to be delivered to the sick and the housebound, including thesacrament of the Sick’.

Bishop Philip emphasised the importance for priests to be permitted to administer to the dying: ‘Hospitals and care homes are urged to enable the priest to visit Catholics who are dying in order for the Last Sacraments and Apostolic Pardon to be administered.’