It's a Tragedy. Don't Pretend Otherwise

On the 5th Sunday of Great Lent, we remember St. Mary of Egypt. After recounting the life of St. Mary, Bp. Irineos turns to the current situation of the global pandemic and the failure of many jurisdictions to acknowledge the tragedy of the closing of churches and the separation of the faithful from the mysteries. Without commenting on whether the steps take are wise or not, Bp. Irineos urges us to forthrightly admit that the unavailability of the mysteries is neither a blessing nor an "opportunity" but first and foremost a sorrowful loss to all impacted.