Bishops, ask the local governments to follow the example of the US and reopen churches on Pentecost (May 31)
May 24, 2020
The Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate hereby addresses all bishops in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Ask your Presidents and Governments to give the order to open all the churches on Sunday May 31, which is the great feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit.
Let us quote from the appeal of US President Donald Trump: “Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It’s not right. So I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now. Millions of Americans embrace worship as an essential part of life. The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now. For this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America we need more prayer, not less.”
Dear Bishops, set US President Donald Trump as an example to your Presidents and Governments!
Do not demand permission only for a limited number of people but let all who want to attend the Holy Mass on this important day be given an unrestricted opportunity.
Christians need to repent and pray. God will then intervene in the situation concerning coronavirus quarantine and use it for both the temporal and eternal good of the individuals and nations. The highest good is life, but let us emphasize that it is eternal life!
How will the impossible become possible? “The Holy Spirit will do it!” The Mother of Jesus replied to it: “He doule Kyriou.” (Lk 1:38)
The prophet cries out: “Come, O Holy Spirit, from the four corners of the world and breathe on these spiritually slain (by the spirit of lies and death), that they may live!” (Ezek 37:9)
Dear Bishops, starting with the feast of Pentecost, break unity with the worshiper of the Pachamama demon in the Holy Mass!
Let every diocesan or suffragan bishop appeal in person to the President and Government on behalf of his diocese as well as of all other Christians throughout the nation. Let him demand all churches reopen without restrictive conditions on May 31, 2020!
Let no one rely on the evasive, belated and ambiguous request of the so-called Episcopal conferences. You yourself write a request to the President and Government on behalf of yourself and of the souls you are responsible for as a bishop!
Your letter will be a testimony at the hour of your death and on the Day of Judgment that you did not deny Christ and did not use cunning like Pilate, or perhaps like the treacherous apostle Judas.
Do not be afraid and take a step of faith! Let the Holy Spirit work! Come, O Holy Spirit, and breathe on these spiritually slain, that they may live! That they may live!
+ Elijah
Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
+ Methodius OSBMr + Timothy OSBMr
Secretary Bishops
Copies to:
Presidents and Prime Ministers in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia