![]() ![]() The selected titles include three that are representative of the opinion-based press from mature democracies, G8 countries (meaning they are among the most influential countries in the world), where freedom of the press and freedom of religion are important civil liberties, and one title that is representative of a country defined as an emerging economy (Pfeifer, Opitz, and Geis 2021, 485–502 Kavlin 2017). Titles from the German, British, American and Chinese press, which represent different geographical and political areas, were selected for the study. The clergy undertook many pastoral and charitable actions to assist those affected by the pandemic, such as providing psychological support, financial assistance for the unemployed and homeless, and help for the sick and lonely (Barker and Russell 2020, 867–868 Deguma et al. This attitude was expressed in the declarations of the religious leaders, who accepted the restrictions on worship or the complete closure of churches with respect and understanding (Berkmann 2020, 184–188, 198–200 Plüss 2020, 286–296). The first weeks of the spread of the virus proved the willingness of ecclesiastical and secular authorities to cooperate. ![]() 1 The selected press titles were Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, The Guardian, The New York Times, and South China Morning Post, as these are considered to be among the most influential in forming a public opinion (Pérez 2015, 523–539 Mitnik, Freilich, and Chermak 2020, 161–185). The paper aims to assess how representatives of German- and English-speaking opinion-based press have been presenting the role of the Christian churches in combating the outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, it migrated into the space of private life (Pleyers 2020, 295–312). State decisions to close religious temples did not cause the disappearance of religious life. Health authorities, supported by guidelines provided by epidemiological institutions, pointed out the possible sanitary consequences of large liturgical gatherings and the implications of failing to maintain the necessary physical distance between the service attendees (Castaldo 2020, 177–178). The initial weeks of combating the virus were associated with a series of restrictions imposed on churches and consequent restrictions on worship. Therefore, it is the institutional dimension of religious bodies and their leaders that are analysed here and not the faith experience of individual believers. This paper undertakes to answer the question of how the secular media have been presenting actions taken by churches and religious bodies in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. David Herszenhorn and Sarah Wheaton, correspondents for The New York Times and Politico Europe noted that:Įurope, in early April (2020), remains the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic – where the outbreak, uncontrolled, morphed into catastrophe. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a number of changes in numerous areas of social and political life, including the religious aspect. These findings concern issues that are vital for the image analysis of religious bodies, since the results of press analysis can be used to assess the impact of a crisis situation on the image of Christian churches in the media as well as the relationship between political leaders and church leaders. There is, however, a noted lack of press attention regarding the involvement of religious bodies in combating the pandemic effects through charity, solidarity, and even worship, however, limited or modified. ![]() The results show that secular press publications present an image of Christian churches and other religious authorities as institutions collaborating with state authorities in combating the coronavirus pandemic. This paper analyses how selected representatives of the German- and English-language opinion-based press have portrayed the role of Christian churches and other religious bodies in dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic through examining the use of quantitative and qualitative content, framing, and natural and cultural commonplaces.
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