Bishops issue guidelines for church events
THE Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference have issued guidelines for people attending Mass and other church celebrations in response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
People with underlying conditions and those who are considered vulnerable have been dispensed from their Sunday obligation to attend Mass.
A statement set out: “At this time our first concern has to be for the elderly, the ill and those with underlying medical conditions.
“As bishops we present the following directions in the light of current public health authority advice in Ireland, north and south, aware that these might have to change at very short notice.
“While acknowledging that the following directives will involve sacrifice for all, we encourage a positive engagement in order that the most vulnerable amongst us can be protected and so that the coronavirus can be contained.”
HAND HYGIENE
It is important that hand sanitiser is provided at each entrance of the church.
Holy water fonts should remain empty.
The Sign of Peace is not to be expressed by hand shaking.
Having received Holy Communion, and before and after distributing, the priest and ministers should sanitise their hands.
Collection baskets: priests are asked to provide an alternative to the practice of passing collection baskets through the congregation.
Holy Communion should be received in the hand.
SUNDAY/WEEKDAY MASS
The celebration of Mass on Sundays and on weekdays - including Saint Patrick’s Day – will continue as normal. However, those with underlying conditions and those who are considered vulnerable are dispensed from their Sunday obligation to attend.
People can avail of parish radio broadcasts and webcam.
While in church, and as far as possible, people are asked to keep a safe distance from one another, in keeping with current advice.
CONFIRMATION
Regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation, people with underlying health conditions and who are considered vulnerable from a health perspective should not attend the celebration of the sacrament.
The celebration of Confirmation will continue for now but may have to be postponed at very short notice in the light of future advice from the public health authorities.
The anointing with the oil of chrism will be administered without direct touch, in a safe and appropriate manner, such as with the use of a cotton bud.
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK
Concerning the pastoral care of the sick and the administration of the sacrament, the priest will use a cotton bud or surgical glove for the anointing with holy oil and dispose of them appropriately.
BAPTISM
During this time the celebrant will sign the child with the Cross without touching. Where there is more than one child being baptised, a single jug of fresh water will be blessed and used.
The anointing with holy oils will be administered by the use of cotton buds.
FUNERALS
The community of faith will always seek to surround the funerals and burials of its deceased members with love and respect. However, people with underlying conditions, and who are vulnerable, should not attend funerals. For the same reason, when sympathising, people should not shake hands.
The Church awaits official guidance from the public health authorities in the event of a deterioration in the situation.
While abiding by all such advice, the Church will always stand with the bereaved and do its best to ensure a Christian burial for those who request it.
CONCELEBRATION OF MASS
The bishops have given permission for only the main celebrant to receive from the chalice, when concelebration is deemed necessary.
REVIEWING THIS INFORMATION
The bishops ask everyone to continue to follow the guidance of the public health authorities north and south. As the situation evolves, Church-specific information will be updated and published on local diocesan websites, on the website of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference - www.catholicbishops.ie - and on their related digital media platforms.