Top Catholic leaders have issued a heartfelt appeal to government leaders, asking them to respect people’s rights and fundamental freedoms in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They question whether the danger from the virus has been overblown and demand that worshipers — now restricted by lockdown regulations — be able to congregate.

“The facts have shown that, under the pretext of the COVID-19 epidemic, the inalienable rights of citizens have in many cases been violated and their fundamental freedoms, including the exercise of freedom of worship, expression, and movement, have been disproportionately and unjustifiably restricted,’’ the letter states.
“Public health must not, and cannot, become an alibi for infringing on the rights of millions of people around the world, let alone for depriving the civil authority of its duty to act wisely for the common good.

“This is particularly true as growing doubts emerge from several quarters about the actual contagiousness, danger, and resistance of the virus. Many authoritative voices in the world of science and medicine confirm that the media’s alarmism about COVID-19 appears to be absolutely unjustified.’’

  the group blames “powers interested in creating panic among the world’s population with the sole aim of permanently imposing unacceptable forms of restriction on freedoms, of controlling people and of tracking their movements.

 “The imposition of such illiberal measures is a disturbing prelude to the realization of a world government beyond all control.’’
They also argue that in some cases, containment measures like the closing of shops and businesses have “precipitated a crisis that has brought down entire sectors of the economy.”

“Those with governmental responsibility must stop these forms of social engineering, by taking measures to protect their citizens whom they represent, and in whose interests they have a serious obligation to act.’’