The man at the helm of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an expert at fighting viruses, and he's not shy about his faith either.

Dr. Robert Redfield is the director of the CDC. His pastor says that Redfield and his wife have been a strong and active part of their Catholic church in Baltimore for decades.

"I have witnessed firsthand the impact of the faith community’s work in global disease outbreaks"

Monsignor Richard Woy, the rector of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, tells the Catholic Review "Dr. Redfield is not shy about his faith. And I think it does not compromise in any way his work as a scientist. I do not believe he sees any contradiction between the two whatsoever."

In a statement to the Catholic Review, Redfield says he believes the faith community will play a large part in the battle against the new Coronavirus.

"I have witnessed firsthand the impact of the faith community’s work in global disease outbreaks," Redfield says. "The same compassion, counsel, and care will be just as important as we confront this new virus and as many Americans and others around the world experience disruption in their daily lives."

"The faith community has always stepped in to enhance response efforts where our public health and clinical settings lack the capacity or expertise to comfort patients, families and whole communities."

Redfield has also used his medical expertise as a short term missionary. That includes working with a Catholic missions agency in Haiti treating people injured in the 2011 earthquake.

Redfield's colleague, Dr. William Blattner, says he has seen first-hand how Redfield's faith in Jesus has kept him focussed on his work.

"I think that for both of us, we have a recognition that the knowledge that we have against the opportunities that come our way is not an accident," Blattner says. "There’s a purpose for our lives and for our work."