24 March 2020 Diocese of Down and Connor – COVID-19 Directives

DIOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR

COVID-19: DIRECTIVES

Effective Tuesday 24 March 2020 until further notice

In addition to previous directives issued,  these directives are effective immediately:

Public Health Advice

The Government has issued new and strict directions restricting public movement.  We call on every person in the Diocese to adhere strictly to these instructions.

Churches, Parish Offices and Parochial Properties

As per government guidelines, churches will not be open to the public.

Parish Offices and all Parochial Properties and Parish Centres will now be closed to public access and all non-essential staff will work from home.  Parishes will continue to be contactable by telephone or email.  Mass will continue to be celebrated (in private) and streamed where possible via webcams and social media.

Baptisms

No baptisms will take place.

Weddings

No weddings will take place.

Funerals

Funerals will continue.  Funerals are strictly private and restricted to the immediate family of the deceased only. In light of the advice to further restrict person to person contact, we strongly advise that there should be no wakes and that houses should be strictly private to the immediate family.

These directives will be kept under regular review

Diocese of Down and Connor: Issued 24 March 2020