22

Besides the deaths that the pandemic caused, it is (and remains) an unknown experience, difficult to live through for most people, whatever their generation. It quickly caused depression and fatigue, put trust to the test or increased distrust towards politics, medical science, the health care system, and unleashed ‘conspiracy’ theories and tested democracy. The Catholic Church was subject to the same restrictions as other religions, but these limitations imposed on freedom of practice (celebration of mass) divided Catholics (including the Episcopal Conference) and questioned the place of mass in religious and sacramental life, as well as the ways it is celebrated.