Czech Republic: Bishop Herbst COVID-19 positive. Cardinal Duka invites seniors to set example for youth

(Bratislava) - Catholics in the Czech Republic pray for the health of over 5,000 inhabitants of the country directly affected by COVID-19. This number also includes Msgr. Karel Herbst, auxiliary bishop of Prague, who tested positive at the end of March and was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Several high representatives of the Church have been ordered to stay in quarantine. Cardinal Dominik Duka is one of them. Recently, he wrote an open encouraging letter to all Czech and Moravian seniors. “We witness that intergenerational differences disappear, and that ‘care for our neighbours’ and ‘wave of solidarity’ are not just empty words. We are looked after by our families, friends, and volunteers of all age groups. This type of considerateness will definitely go down in the history of our nation”, the letter reads. Cardinal Duka praises the advanced Czech healthcare system and scientific achievements that “keep pace with those of the world’s most developed countries”, something which is crucial in these difficult times. He also commends those who work in retirement and nursing homes for their high professionalism and humanity. They do not hesitate to make sacrifices and stay with infected seniors, to provide care and show solidarity, even though this often means that they have to be kept in quarantine with them. “Let’s trust that we are in God’s hands. Let’s set the example for our younger generations and inspire them to do the same”, concludes the letter to seniors.
Gigliola Alfaro