A Republican state lawmaker has introduced a resolution suggesting that the coronavirus is a “punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins.”

In the resolution introduced on Monday, state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz is calling on lawmakers to designate March 30 as a “A State Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer” in Pennsylvania.

The Clinton County Republican said Pennsylvanians may be comforted by turning to a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer.

In her resolution, Borowicz states: “The united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessing no less than the pardon of our national sins and the restoration of our new divided and suffering country to its former happy condition of unity and peace.”

PennLive reached out to Borowicz but could not immediately reach her.

Borowicz last year sparked controversy when she offered up an evangelically fervent prayer before the start of the House of Representative session. The prayer was widely seen as having been divisive and proselytizing in nature. Both run counter to prayer guidelines set by the chamber.

Borowicz states in the resolution: “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow; and with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth.”

Borowicz adds that nations are subjected to punishments and chastisement in this world just like humans are.

She calls that on March 30, all Pennsylvanians abstain from “ordinary secular pursuits” and to unite in their homes “in keeping the day holy to the Lord and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion...”

Pennsylvania Republican State Rep Stephanie Borowicz has introduced in response to #COVIDー19 a resolution designating March 30, 2020 as “A State Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer” in PA. I do believe this is the stupidest resolution I’ve ever seen a politician introduce. pic.twitter.com/QSP9kzNon7 — Rep. Kevin J. Boyle (@RepKevinBoyle) March 23, 2020

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed Tuesday there were 207 new coronavirus cases in the state. That brings the statewide total to 851.

The report of 207 new cases is the largest one-day total so far in Pennsylvania. As of Friday afternoon, Pennsylvania had the 10th-most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., according to CNN. New York had the most with 25,665 and West Virginia still having the least reported cases (in the continental U.S.) with 20.

Borowicz, an evangelical Christian, echoes rhetoric recently espoused by prominent evangelical leaders, including some with close ties to President Trump. Some of them have claimed to have the power to cure the coronavirus through prayer.

Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at First Baptist Dallas, a megachurch, last week delivered a sermon suggesting that the coronavirus is a judgement from God.

Trump’s spiritual adviser, Paula White-Cain, has called on Christians to continue praying for an end to the pandemic, referencing the Old Testament story of a plague God sent on the Israelites for a failed rebellion against His chosen leader, Moses, and his brother, Aaron.

The resolution has engendered outrage from among other lawmakers.

Rep. Kevin Boyle, Democratic Chair for the House State Government Committee, took to Twitter to offer his thoughts: “I do believe this is the stupidest resolution I’ve ever seen a politician introduce.”

Rep. Dan Frankel, Democratic Chair for the House Health Committee, said in a statement to PennLive:

“It’s painfully ironic that in her resolution Rep. Borowicz references Lincoln, who sought to unite a nation divided by the moral virus of slavery. It’s ironic because right now the Pennsylvania government is working to unify to combat this epidemic of the Coronavirus. Borowicz, using archaic language specific to her personal faith tradition, simply divides us by forcing her belief system on others.”

In her resolution, Borowicz cites a proclamation from President Abraham Lincoln designating March 30, 1863 as a day of fasting and prayer.

Frankel said his office remains focused on helping Pennsylvanians heed the guidance of public health experts, who recommend social distancing to stave off the contagion rate of coronavirus.

“As a public servant, I believe that is my role, not directing the personal faith practices of my fellow Pennsylvanians,” Frankel said.

This report has been updated.

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