Latest Updates on Covid-19

Priests should continue to celebrate Mass in a church within their parish without the faithful on a daily basis.

The continuing celebration of Mass ensures that the faithful can join in spiritual communion with the priests of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (1364): As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out. Daily liturgical resources for those at home, including those for making a “Spiritual Communion” with the priest, will be available on the website.

The Bishops Conference have asked that Baptisms should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can gather safely. If you have a baptism booked in the next few weeks please phone your parish priest.

In light of the government directive on staying at home, the message issued previously about Confessions has been revised. For the safety of all, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will not be possible at this time. Pope Francis made a statement, which is included below:

“I know that many of you go to confession before Easter … many will say to me: ‘But Father ….. I cannot leave the house and I want to make my peace with the Lord. I want Him to embrace me ….. How can I do that unless I find a priest?’ Do what the catechism says. It is very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He is your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord, I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the catechism teaches us, to God’s forgiveness, without having a priest at hand.”

These celebrations will be postponed until a time that allows for families and friends to gather safely within our churches.

The celebrations of Confirmation will be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can resume public worship.

Matrimony should be deferred until such time that people can gather in numbers safely.  However, if this is not possible and only in the most pressing of circumstances, then those present for the marriage should be restricted to the celebrant, bride and groom and immediate family, and if necessary, the legal Registrar.

If you have a marriage booked in the next few weeks please contact your parish priest as soon as possible.

No pastoral visits should be made to people who are self-isolating until the isolation period ends.  However, priests can offer phone support.  When anointing the sick, the Oil of the Sick can be applied using a cotton bud which can be burned afterwards (one end for the head and the other for the hands) and the priest extend his hands over the sick person for laying on of hands, without physical contact.

Visits to people in care homes or hospitals should follow advice from the staff on infection control.

This will be dependent on the forthcoming decisions of the Bishops for the Holy Week ceremonies.

The Bishops Conference have asked that the funeral service should take place at the graveside or at a crematorium. If you need to arrange a funeral please contact your parish priest as soon as possible. Arrangements will be made for a Mass to be celebrated in memoriam when congregations are allowed to gather.