COVID-19 Lockdown and the Needs of Catholic Christians—Perspective from one Diocese

Abstract

The ravaging fears, force of infection, and death arising from COVID-19 pandemic led to the lockdown of virtually every aspect of society. In readiness for the possible unknown arising from the lockdown policy, many people resorted to stocking-up on the things they considered essential such as, food, toiletries, and medications. These things are material and quantifiable things. Although the church is a community of people, it is also, considered a spiritual society. Since the church was not treated as an essential institution to be left open at the height of the lockdown, and considering its spiritual connection, this study aimed at finding out what the people stocked-up on as essential in order to be sustained in their faith. The result from 39 returned survey-questionnaires conducted in the diocese of Pueblo, Colorado USA showed that people only substituted, on their own, for what they considered essential (i.e. the sacraments). This, holds policy implications for the Catholic Church leadership to articulate, now and for the future, such as the need for church libraries, adequate technological adaptation, in-depth catechesis, and solemn celebration of the liturgies in order to help adherents cope better in times of uncertainty.

Keywords: Lockdown, Stock-up, Essential, Eucharist, Catechesis, Spiritual Resources, COVID-19

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/10-11-09

Publication date: November 30^th 2020