• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
A woman in Turin, Italy, wears a face mask March 14, 2020, as the Italian government continues restrictive movement measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak. (CNS photo/Massimo Pinca, Reuters)

Italian priests, religious women are among victims of COVID-19

March 16, 2020
By Carol Glatz
Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News

ROME (CNS) — A number of priests and religious women have been among the nearly 2,000 people who have died in Italy because of illness connected with COVID-19.

One member of the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity died March 15 at the age of 88 after she and 23 members of her community in Tortona, near Milan, were evacuated by helicopter March 13 and hospitalized for fever and trouble breathing. Another unidentified nun was said to be in critical condition, ANSA, the Italian news agency, reported March 15.

In the hard-hit Diocese of Bergamo, Bishop Francesco Beschi said March 16 that many of his priests have been exposed to the virus. Twenty have had symptoms serious enough to be hospitalized while six have died in the past week.

In another part of northern Italy, Father Guido Mortari, 83, died March 13 of pneumonia; his test results for COVID-19 had not come back at the time of his death. He had served as a parish priest in his hometown of Reggio Emilia for more than 40 years.

In Cremona, Msgr. Vincenzo Rini, 75, died March 14 after being hospitalized because of COVID-19. He was a journalist and directed the diocesan weekly, “Catholic Life,” for more than 30 years. He also served as president of SIR, the news agency of the Italian bishops’ conference.

The bishop there, 62-year-old Bishop Antonio Napolioni, was still recovering in the city’s public hospital from coronavirus March 16.

In an interview with Vatican News March 14, he said his condition was improving and he urged people to take seriously all precautions and mandates.

Because of the risks associated with the coronavirus, there was no such thing as being too cautious, the bishop said.

“If the situation forces us to take a step back” from all the hustle and bustle or a frenetic lifestyle, then this was an opportune moment, he said.

“We must not be afraid,” he said.

Media in France also reported March 15 that French Bishop Emmanuel Delmas of Angers, 65, had tested positive for coronavirus.

He had been in Rome in early March with other French bishops for their “ad limina” visit. They met for two and a half hours with Pope Francis March 9 in a closed-door meeting in which each individual was seated at least three feet from each other, as per health safety guidelines at the time.

While he was in Rome, Bishop Delmas felt the first symptoms, which continue to be mild, the diocese said in a communique. He and the other 28 bishops who made the trip to Rome were currently in isolation, it added.

For more information about the coronavirus in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, click here. 

Copyright ©2020 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service is a leading agency for religious news. Its mission is to report fully, fairly and freely on the involvement of the church in the world today.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

RADIO INTERVIEW: Archbishop Lori Milestones

At Baltimore Basilica, Cardinal Sarah says holiness is possible

Archbishop William Lori announces clerical appointments, including two new pastors

St. Mary’s Seminary charters its first Knights of Columbus council – named after alumnus who founded the Knights

Former Harford County priest sentenced to 22 years in prison

Latest World News

Ukrainians ‘have made the Bible come alive’ for world, says archbishop

Poverty driving children into forced labor must be tackled, pope says

Cardinal Parolin launches Catholic app for military personnel

Bishops express sorrow, condemn racially motivated shooting in Buffalo

Saints’ lives prove God’s love for all, pope says at canonization Mass

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Ukrainians ‘have made the Bible come alive’ for world, says archbishop
  • RADIO INTERVIEW: Archbishop Lori Milestones
  • Poverty driving children into forced labor must be tackled, pope says
  • Cardinal Parolin launches Catholic app for military personnel
  • At Baltimore Basilica, Cardinal Sarah says holiness is possible
  • Bishops express sorrow, condemn racially motivated shooting in Buffalo
  • Saints’ lives prove God’s love for all, pope says at canonization Mass
  • When St. Bernadette’s relics came to Baltimore
  • Archbishop William Lori announces clerical appointments, including two new pastors

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2022 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED