Cardinal Timothy Dolan Wednesday delivered a message of faith, saying that while Americans may be feeling isolated because of social distancing, God is always with them.
"That is always good to remember that in these troubling days," Dolan, the archbishop of New York, told Fox News' "Fox and Friends," noting that the situation, coming during the Lenten season, forces its own kind of sacrifices to be made.
"We have to sacrifice going out, going shopping, going to work, going to school, being with friends, and we're called to more vigorous acts of charity and concern to others, so we have a built-in Lent," the cardinal said.
The church and parishes are already starting to determine what will be needed as the coronavirus outbreak progresses, but the future will be challenging, said Dolan.
Public masses have been canceled in New York City, but daily messages and services are still being held, and two things come to mind, said Dolan.
"Jesus wants us to be concerned, but he does not want us to worry," said the cardinal. "Worry is counterproductive. Worry is a sin against hope, which tells us everything will work together for the good of those who believe."
Also, Dolan said that "Jesus says do not be afraid ... we don't want to be panicky but then we don't want to be frivolous about this. We want to be concerned, and we don't want to give in."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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