-
The Maryknoll Society Center in Ossining, N.Y., is seen in this 2014 file photo. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
April 22, 2020
Dennis Sadowski
Catholic News ServiceCLEVELAND-- The Maryknoll religious community in Ossining, New York, has been hit hard by COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
At least one priest and three women religious have died of the illness during the month of April. Dozens more have been diagnosed or suspected of having the coronavirus.
Father Raymond Finch, superior general of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, told Catholic News Service that nine priests living at the order's residential facilities had died since April 2.
He said the first priest who died was 92 and was the only one of the nine who tested positive for the virus. The others who had died showed symptoms that indicated they had the illness, but not all of them had been tested and those that were had not received their results, the congregational leader said.
The Maryknoll Sisters announced April 20 that three sisters died of COVID-19. Another 24 sisters have tested positive for the coronavirus and have been temporarily transferred to another care facility for treatment, the order said in a news release.
In addition, eight of the congregation's staff members also have tested positive for the illness. Other sisters who have low-grade fevers have been isolated in the order's health care facility and are being closely monitored by medical staff, the congregation said.
Father Finch said the ages of the men who died ranged from the upper 80s to the lower 90s and had been ordained for more than 50 years. In all, 120 men live at the order's residential facility, he said.
About 18 men, in their 60s and 70s, also have shown minor symptoms of the disease and have been isolated, Father Finch added.
In the Archdiocese of Boston, retired Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Allue, 85, is reportedly extremely ill with complications from COVID-19.
The archdiocese did not confirm the report in order to protect the bishop's privacy. A spokesman said that the archdiocese, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley and clergy were "praying for Bishop Allue, who is facing a serious illness at this time."