To all clergy who are licensed or hold PtO and LLMs
Dear sisters and brothers
We have received some enquiries asking for diocesan guidance on how to react to the Coronavirus outbreak. As a diocese, to avoid the confusion of conflicting advice, we are relying on the guidance issued by the national Church which reflects government guidance. The national Church’s guidance is updated regularly on the Church of England website and there is a link to it from the front page of our own diocesan website so that the most up-to-date guidance is always available. In summary, the current guidance suggests that we should:
- take the usual sensible hygiene precautions,
- ask those attending the Eucharist in particular to sanitise their hands as they come into church, using sanitized (>60% alcohol) gel dispensers,
- reassuring the people that they do not need to exchange the Peace by touch – on her Twitter feed The Revd Dr Hannah Lewis offers an alternative means by simple British Sign Language which may appeal to some,
- discourage intinction,
- ask anyone with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from taking communion from the Chalice/Cup,
- reassure the people that, if they do not want to share in the common Cup, to receive in one kind is full reception since Our Lord is as much present in bread as in wine,
- not distribute the host by placing it on the recipient’s tongue, and
- remember to look out for each other, especially those in our communities who may have to self isolate or who may contract the virus.
As the guidance makes clear, ‘[i]t is important to balance the need to take sensible precautions and plan for a possible increase in the outbreak, yet not to cause panic. At present there is no significant community transmission of the disease. Nevertheless it is prudent to ensure our practices and plans are in place should the outbreak get worse.’ The circumstances are developing day by day if not more quickly. All our bishops and archdeacons will continue to monitor the situation and attempt to offer such support as you may require, so do be in touch if there is any further help that you need.
My chaplain, Tony Monds (07808 614597 | bishops.chaplain@salisbury.anglican.org), will act as a central point of contact should you wish to report any incidents or seek further advice on specific issues.
With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel
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