Catholic Church in Italy in the Conditions of the Coronavirus Pandemic

This article analyzes the main areas of activities of the Catholic Church in Italy during the coronavirus pandemic in the Spring of 2020 The Italian Episcopal Conference endorsed "fully- fledged cooperation" with the civil authorities in order to contain the epidemiological danger, including a ban on liturgical gatherings This decision raised the question of whether the violations of human and civil rights, in particular, freedom of religion, under the pretext of the common good are justified The author concludes that the unwillingness to enter into conflict with the State, even when dealing with the fundamental principles of Christianity, does not indicate the subordination of the Church to the State It rather indicates the desire to maintain political neutrality, to fulfill the pastoral mission and policy of non-violence However, the author highlights that the civil authorities were not ready to maintain a constructive dialogue with believers because they underestimated or even ignored the importance of the Transcendent in their lives The coronacrisis revealed the existing problematic "areas" in attitude toward religion in secular society