Uzbekistan: Catholic initiative makes the best of COVID-19 crisis

According to Fides reporting on 7 April 2020, schools, public transport, factories, church activities and non-essential services in Uzbekistan have been closed down since 25 March 2020, initially for a period of three weeks. Heavy penalties are applied for those venturing outside without wearing a face mask. The Catholic Church has been using Facebook and other platforms to keep in touch with church members and supply aids for prayer. The report shows that the situation of emergency has also encouraged a deepening of both ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. Rolf Zeegers, Persecution analyst at World Watch Research, is encouraged by the Catholic initiative to use modern media to "˜make use" of the Corona crisis: "It is particularly encouraging that the Catholic Church is not trying to go at this on their own, but want to involve all denominations and religions in the country. It is to be hoped that the government of Uzbekistan takes note of this and will later show its gratitude towards the various religious groups by relaxing its oppression of religious freedom."