"Monsignor Charles Pope, the pastor who has contracted the virus, wrote a piece for the National Catholic Register just over a week before he tested positive for the virus.
In part, he acknowledged he is “neither a doctor nor a scientist,” but “I am a priest, and as such I think we must count the other costs." ... "When speaking to FOX 5, Pope said he is concerned that “we may have lost permanently a large group of Catholics who became disengaged from the church and may never return even after this crisis is over.”


https://www.fox5dc.com/news/congregation-members-in-quarantine-after-pastor-tests-positive-for-covid-19

Sad.

Did he forget to wash his hands regularly, and not touch anyone on their forehead--or whatever they do?

Hmm, I just learned something new. I always thought that "Monsignor" was a job title in Catholicism, but instead it's an honorific, normally given to a bishop's right hand man, or a member of the Roman Curia or Vatican diplomatic service. So a priest given the honorific "Monsignor" would be roughly similar to a Stake President's counselor in Mormonism (although IMO stakes are not nearly as large as dioceses are in Catholicism.)

Monsignor Pope may very well be correct that the virus is causing Catholics to become disengaged.

Interesting that all the places that people can discuss what's being done to them e.g. bars, churches etc have been shut down or restricted, but supermarkets (which are just as much of a health risk) have stayed open right through this. Or that workplaces where people talk have been shut, but airplanes with a high risk of spreading the infection have been allowed to fly.

Well, there isn't much that can be done about supermarkets, is there? Gov. Hogan of Maryland said that due to contact tracing, they know the various means by which the virus is spread. The biggest offender? Family gatherings.

Oh good hell, not this know-nothing talking point again.