The Roman Catholic

In the light of the most recent developments of the Coronavirus in Texas, it is now necessary for us to make further restrictions in our practices, in order to promote public health and to limit the spread of this disease.

Pope Francis said he will grant a plenary indulgence to the faithful who watch or listen to his extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.

En esta fiesta de la Anunciación del Señor, los obispos católicos de Texas ofrecemos palabras de fe viva y esperanza a nuestra gente en este tiempo extraordinario de ansiedad y enfermedad. Al enfrentar tantas incógnitas, podemos estar seguros de la fidelidad de Dios. La Anunciación del Señor es una fiesta de esperanza en la bondad y en el poder de Dios para intervenir en nuestro favor.

On this Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, the Catholic bishops of Texas offer some words of living faith and hope to our people in this extraordinary time of anxiety and illness. While we are facing so many unknowns, we can be certain of God’s faithfulness. The Annunciation of the Lord is a feast of hope in God's goodness and power to intervene on our behalf.

On March 18, 2020, the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department confirmed a case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Brown County. This is the first reported case in the Diocese of San Angelo.

Bishop Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo has released the following statement on coronavirus protocols enacted by the diocese, effective immediately.

Bishop Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo has announced several precautionary measures aimed at preventing the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among the communities of the diocese. These temporary changes are effective immediately in all churches of the diocese and are to remain in place until further notice from the bishop.

WASHINGTON - Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace; Sean Callahan, president of Catholic Relief Services; and Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, issued a statement addressing the Catholic response to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The Vatican has released Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation "Querida Amazonía" following last year's Amazonian Synod. Click for a video and link to the Apostolic Exhortation and other official synod documents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a page about the new coronavirus that has been infecting people around the world, including information on symptoms, treatment and prevention. Click the headline to be taken to the CDC's coronavirus page.