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| Archfather Don Rutherford I |
PATRIARCHAL SEE 13 April 2020 (ORCNS) - The Florentine Archfather and the Imperial Patriarchate have been consistent in their message since the beginning of the coronavirus global pandemic: Do not panic; treat the sick; protect the vulnerable, which includes those who are at risk of harm by government responses and economic shutdowns; do not forget the many other diseases that are out there and remain a threat; keep the economy going in order to protect the health and well-being of all people, both in the short-term and long-term. The mantra was: Stay Calm - Save Lives. Those have not always been popular ideas, but now the mainstream media and politicians are adopting those same concepts.
Since the beginning of the global pandemic, the Imperial Patriarchate has been highly involved in health and humanitarian service, in the example of Christ, to improve the condition of mankind, alleviate problems, and speak for the poor and vulnerable
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| Members of the Walsingham Guard were among the first to respond to the needs of their communities. |
United Nations Economic and Social Council, with which the Imperial Patriarchate is in special consultative status. The encyclical detailed significant humanitarian concerns regarding global economic shutdown and the overall nature of government response to the pandemic. In that encyclical, His Holy Eminence said, “It is incumbent upon the United Nations and especially the Economic and Social Council thereof to consider and strongly promote the serious humanitarian, economic, and social considerations of the worldwide government responses to this current pandemic. Many of those who currently suffer and will suffer the most are the poor
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| India has some of the largest numbers of people at risk, even of starvation, from the economic shutdown. |
Earlier such ideas were largely ignored. Now mainstream media and politicians are beginning to respond in earnest.
The Caribbean Communications Network, for example, pointed out that economic panic causing a recession could actually kill more people than the coronavirus. A CNN article showed that Italy’s lockdown, being the world’s eighth largest economy, is likely going to create a deep recession. Another CNN article predicted a global recession due to coronavirus. Recent articles are now pointing out the serious potential impact this can have on individuals, with more specific predictions of damages. For example, a USA Today article suggests that approximately one third of the workforce in many metropolitan areas of the United States is in jeopardy. It isn’t about the money, though. It is about health and well-being, including for those who suffer dramatically due to economic hardship. And, just as the Archfather pointed out in his encyclical Orbis Est, a Washington Times article also noted that the doomsday-like attitudes towards coronavirus is ignoring the many other health problems and tragedies that kill far more people every year.
In another patriarchal encyclical entitled Qui Eunt ad Mare written to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation within the United Nations, the Archfather specifically addressed the problem of governments turning their backs on people who are stranded at sea and sought the support of the UN and other governments to solve the problem. Shortly thereafter, the Holland America Line cruise ship ms Zaandam was permitted to dock in Florida. Other ships at sea are slowly being brought into ports around the world.
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| The Chief of the General Staff, the Prince v. Reichenberg (right) in conference with the Archfather. The Chief of the General Staff keeps the Archfather and other members of the Curia up-to-date on important world events. |
Another problematic side effect of the response of many governments around the world to coronavirus has been to limit religious freedom, even beyond requesting modifications in the interest of public health. That was also specifically addressed in the encyclical Orbis Est, as well as the Patriarchal Letter Religion is Essential and in a recent Archpatral Ban condemning usurpation of church authority and the cruel suppression of religious rights by many leaders around the world, even as many other leaders recognise that religion is essential and extremely important during times of crisis. Church participation in many countries, including Italy, is made illegal by civil governments, and in the United States, some state governors have likewise made religious activity illegal. Some churches have begun fighting back with lawsuits. These efforts all seem to be having an effect. The Archfather issued the ban in the morning of Holy Saturday, 11 April, and that was followed later that same day by the US Attorney General stating that he would pursue action against any state officials who sought to violate the religious rights of individuals.
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| The people of the Imperial Patriarchate are always willing to help those in need. |
The efforts of the many faithful leaders of the Imperial Patriarchate join those of many other dedicated people around the world to help mitigate the humanitarian and economic crisis resulting from the global pandemic and especially from government responses to the pandemic. Difficult problems are not typically solved overnight. Spiritual work remains important – indeed the most important, always and especially in times of crisis. The Imperial Patriarchate, as the successors to Pope Leo X and the Custodians of the Apostolic See of St. Mark in Aquileia, co
ntinues in a legacy of service of over 2000 years of its history to help those in need in the example of Christ. It remains a key leading force in global Catholic humanitarian service. In the modern era, with the authority of Florence and Rome, the Imperial Patriarchate leads the way forward.
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| The Basilica of St. Peter, Vatican. The Imperial Patriarchate is the successor to Pope Leo X. |
Stay Calm - Save Lives.
