Amid virus, world’s Christians find new ways to celebrate Easter
In Louisville, Kentucky, On Fire Christian Church received the go-ahead from a federal judge to hold a drive-in Easter service despite the mayor’s effort to stop it.
NEW YORK (AP) — Christians around the world celebrated Easter Sunday isolated in their homes by the coronavirus while pastors preached the faith’s joyous news of Christ’s resurrection to empty pews.
The strangeness of this Easter was evident at the Vatican. St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands would normally gather to hear Pope Francis, was empty of crowds, ringed by police barricades. Francis celebrated Easter Mass inside the largely vacant basilica,
In his address, the pope called for global solidarity to confront the “epochal challenge” of the pandemic. He urged political leaders to give hope and opportunity to the millions laid off work.
Worldwide, families who normally would attend church in their Easter best and later gather for festive meals instead were hunkered down at home. Police checkpoints in Europe and outside closed churches elsewhere left the faithful with few worship options other than watching services online or on TV.
In the United States, some pastors vowed to proceed with in-person services despite state or local bans on large gatherings. In Louisville, Kentucky, On Fire Christian Church received the go-ahead from a federal judge to hold a drive-in Easter service despite the mayor’s effort to stop it.
President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, planned to watch an online service led by the Rev. Robert Jeffress of the Southern Baptist megachurch First Baptist Dallas. The pastor, a staunch ally of the president, mentioned Trump in his remarks,
“We are going to get through this crisis with your continued strong leadership and the power of God,” Jeffress said.
In their own Easter message, the Trumps paid tribute to the medical professionals, first responders and other essential workers striving to combat the pandemic.
In New York City, now its epicenter in the U.S., members of churches from across the city sang “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” from their balconies and windows.
“Even if you didn’t hear everyone, God heard everyone,” said Kathy Keller, of Reedemer Presbyterian Church, who helped organize the event online.
In Europe, countries used roadblocks, fines and other tactics to keep people from traveling over an Easter weekend with beautiful spring weather. The Italian government said weekend police patrols resulted in more than 12,500 people being sanctioned and 150 facing criminal charges for allegedly violating lockdown measures.
Churches in Spain rang their bells at noon to echo the pope’s message of comfort to the victims of the pandemic and to offer hope.
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte thanked people for their sacrifices and acknowledged that many families are celebrating Easter with empty places at the table. “Together, we will make it,” Conte he said.
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