Please find the text of Bishop John's public message on the subject of the Coronavirus outbreak in which he cancels all Sunday services for the foreseeable future.
Clogher Diocesan Response Guidance
Bishop’s Pastoral Message As you will be aware, coronavirus is presenting major challenges to the whole of society on the island of Ireland, including to the Churches. It is important that we respond responsibly and proportionately to these challenges. You will have seen that as well as the Diocese, the Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church have also issued guidelines today. Undoubtedly we will all have to do things differently, at least during the period of this emergency, and possibly beyond that time.
However we need also to remember our calling to worship God not only “with our lips but in our lives” as we say in the General Thanksgiving. Governments and the public health authorities, North and South, have provided us with very useful guidance, which they will continue to update. But they cannot be expected to know every detail of local circumstances and in light of developing circumstances it is now up to us as a Diocese and as parishes to apply and adapt the broad principles to make sure that their intention is effective where we live and work.
For that reason, as you will see, we are cancelling all normal church services as of today (17th March) until further notice. That applies to midweek services too. Funerals will of course continue to take place, but will need to strictly adhere to the public health advice on hygiene and physical distancing. Further advice on funerals will be provided.
Although the more usual phrase at the minute is “social distancing” I think it is better to speak of “physical” distance, as the last thing we want to do is to completely dissolve the social bonds of our families parishes and communities. Where possible churches will remain open at certain times for private prayer, provided the public health hygiene guidelines can be met. Further advice will be issued as occasion demands.
As parishes we will also need to think again about how we can be near to people, to demonstrate our love to them, in ways which may require physical distance but does not mean that we are cut off from one another. Clearly there are people who are more at risk than others. I would encourage clergy and parishes to ensure that the worship of God continues in some form (perhaps by people in their own homes saying Morning Prayer at an agreed time, and in that way to be involved in “corporate” prayer.
It may we’ll be that civil authorities will ask churches to make ourselves (our human and physical resources) available to be of practical assistance and I know we will respond in the spirit of the generosity of God. I need hardly say that I trust you will pray for all those who are anxious and fearful; all those who are vulnerable to this disease and, perhaps above all for all health care workers. By showing our love and care for vulnerable parishioners and in the wider community, we should also demonstrate that we are a community of faith and hope. This is a medical epidemic which we should not allow to become an epidemic of despair.
I am writing this on St Patrick’s Day and can’t help reflecting that his calling from God to return to a land where he had been a captured slave must have tested his faith sorely. Even in the midst of his mission, the prospects of a successful outcome must have seemed remote. But with prayer and persistence Patrick fulfilled his calling to such an extent that he will be remembered in virtually every corner of the globe today.
Our own calling in these very trying times may not be as spectacular as Patrick’s, but if we listen to the call of God in Jesus Christ we can have some confidence that in years to come we will be remembered as those who did what they could and perhaps even a little more when help was needed. +John Clogher
Clogher Diocesan Response Guidance
Bishop’s Pastoral Message As you will be aware, coronavirus is presenting major challenges to the whole of society on the island of Ireland, including to the Churches. It is important that we respond responsibly and proportionately to these challenges. You will have seen that as well as the Diocese, the Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church have also issued guidelines today. Undoubtedly we will all have to do things differently, at least during the period of this emergency, and possibly beyond that time.
However we need also to remember our calling to worship God not only “with our lips but in our lives” as we say in the General Thanksgiving. Governments and the public health authorities, North and South, have provided us with very useful guidance, which they will continue to update. But they cannot be expected to know every detail of local circumstances and in light of developing circumstances it is now up to us as a Diocese and as parishes to apply and adapt the broad principles to make sure that their intention is effective where we live and work.
For that reason, as you will see, we are cancelling all normal church services as of today (17th March) until further notice. That applies to midweek services too. Funerals will of course continue to take place, but will need to strictly adhere to the public health advice on hygiene and physical distancing. Further advice on funerals will be provided.
Although the more usual phrase at the minute is “social distancing” I think it is better to speak of “physical” distance, as the last thing we want to do is to completely dissolve the social bonds of our families parishes and communities. Where possible churches will remain open at certain times for private prayer, provided the public health hygiene guidelines can be met. Further advice will be issued as occasion demands.
As parishes we will also need to think again about how we can be near to people, to demonstrate our love to them, in ways which may require physical distance but does not mean that we are cut off from one another. Clearly there are people who are more at risk than others. I would encourage clergy and parishes to ensure that the worship of God continues in some form (perhaps by people in their own homes saying Morning Prayer at an agreed time, and in that way to be involved in “corporate” prayer.
It may we’ll be that civil authorities will ask churches to make ourselves (our human and physical resources) available to be of practical assistance and I know we will respond in the spirit of the generosity of God. I need hardly say that I trust you will pray for all those who are anxious and fearful; all those who are vulnerable to this disease and, perhaps above all for all health care workers. By showing our love and care for vulnerable parishioners and in the wider community, we should also demonstrate that we are a community of faith and hope. This is a medical epidemic which we should not allow to become an epidemic of despair.
I am writing this on St Patrick’s Day and can’t help reflecting that his calling from God to return to a land where he had been a captured slave must have tested his faith sorely. Even in the midst of his mission, the prospects of a successful outcome must have seemed remote. But with prayer and persistence Patrick fulfilled his calling to such an extent that he will be remembered in virtually every corner of the globe today.
Our own calling in these very trying times may not be as spectacular as Patrick’s, but if we listen to the call of God in Jesus Christ we can have some confidence that in years to come we will be remembered as those who did what they could and perhaps even a little more when help was needed. +John Clogher
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