Updates on COVID-19
Latest update 7th August 2020
Halls
Our advice just now remains that halls should not be used (except for the limited purposes previously allowed). Many activities – dancing, exercise classes, bingo, etc. remain prohibited – and even those things that are permitted risk distracting our volunteers from the ongoing work of keeping churches open in accordance with the cleaning regime. The Government previously stated their plan to allow some more activities later this month – although whether recent events will change that remains to be seen. We would hope to update parishes further on the possibilities of using halls later this month, if the Government goes ahead with loosening these restrictions.
Schools
Some schools have approached parishes to ask about the First Confessions and First Communions cancelled from earlier this year. These can go ahead at any time as long as the children are suitably prepared. All the same precautions that apply at Sunday Mass apply for these celebrations (social distancing, face masks, hand sanitising, cleaning afterwards etc). Enforcing the 50 limit is essential, which might prove challenging especially at First Communions, and so these celebrations can only go ahead if the parish priest is sure that they can be done in full compliance with the Guidance for celebrating Mass.
There is no update yet on Confirmations.
New Government Restrictions
The First Minister announced a number of steps today:
Halls
Our advice just now remains that halls should not be used (except for the limited purposes previously allowed). Many activities – dancing, exercise classes, bingo, etc. remain prohibited – and even those things that are permitted risk distracting our volunteers from the ongoing work of keeping churches open in accordance with the cleaning regime. The Government previously stated their plan to allow some more activities later this month – although whether recent events will change that remains to be seen. We would hope to update parishes further on the possibilities of using halls later this month, if the Government goes ahead with loosening these restrictions.
Schools
Some schools have approached parishes to ask about the First Confessions and First Communions cancelled from earlier this year. These can go ahead at any time as long as the children are suitably prepared. All the same precautions that apply at Sunday Mass apply for these celebrations (social distancing, face masks, hand sanitising, cleaning afterwards etc). Enforcing the 50 limit is essential, which might prove challenging especially at First Communions, and so these celebrations can only go ahead if the parish priest is sure that they can be done in full compliance with the Guidance for celebrating Mass.
There is no update yet on Confirmations.
New Government Restrictions
The First Minister announced a number of steps today:
- Visors will no longer be considered as sufficient face coverings, and people who have hitherto worn visors must now wear a facemask as well or instead.
- Face coverings will become mandatory tomorrow in church (and in many other places). We have, of course, already required this in our own Guidance, but from tomorrow it will become a criminal offence not to comply (apart from those who are exempt from wearing face coverings – the rules on exemption have not changed). As previously explained in our Guidance, priests (or other persons leading services) do not need to wear face coverings except for times when they must come within 2m of others (principally Communion time, but perhaps also other times such as entrance/exit processions, doing baptisms, etc.). Again, from tomorrow it will be a criminal offence for a priest not to wear a mask if coming within 2m of other people inside church (unless there is a solid partition between the priest and the other people).
- Social Distancing from tomorrow it will be a criminal offence for a “person responsible for a place of worship” (i.e. the parish priest) not to take measures to enforce the 2m distance between individuals/households, both inside church and whilst queueing outside. This should, of course, already be in place under the earlier guidance.
Letter from Bishops' Conference 5th June 2020:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Peace be with you! For several weeks now, we have all been living through something we did not expect and for which we had no time to prepare ourselves, no real precedents to guide us, no previous experience to reassure us. A microscopic virus has thrown the whole world into disarray, including our normal Catholic life. In these circumstances we, the Bishops of Scotland, want to address you as we are reminded that Jesus alone is our great Hope. First of all, we want to express our closeness to those of you who have lost friends or family to Covid19 and have not been able to grieve for them in our accustomed ways. We think, too, of those who have been unwell or have felt the pain of isolation in recent weeks, of their loved ones who have not been able to tend to them because of restrictions and also those whose treatment for other conditions has been delayed. We are mindful especially of those of you who are alone, or in care homes, or in hospitals. We hope you have found comfort and consolation. Though public worship has been suspended, the sacrifice of the Mass has still been offered, and Jesus our High Priest “is always living to make intercession” for us (Heb 7:25). God does not abandon his people. So, even in the midst of all this, we can thank the Lord and you for so many good things. We think of the clergy and religious who have been so assiduous and innovative in keeping care of parishioners, and of the warm response there has been: the participation in online liturgies, the engagement with prayer, the support offered to the elderly and housebound, and much more. We have come together as a Church, priests and people. We have journeyed together and supported each other. We hope that it has been possible to intensify family prayer and to become sensitive to the many ways the Lord is present to us.
We want to thank all who, at a time of financial anxiety, have continued to be mindful of the needs of the Church. We thank those of you who are key-workers and have faced the risks to keep essential services going. There has been so much consideration of others, so much unobtrusive Christian charity, so many new initiatives. All this is surely a “capital growth” that will enrich our future. The Bishops cooperated with the Government’s requirement issued in late March to close public places of worship, along with other public spaces and gatherings. We did so with heavy hearts, but aware that this was a human and Christian duty in these exceptional circumstances. In accordance with the 5th Commandment, we have a fundamental obligation to protect our own and others’ health and life. The Church’s compliance with civil law, as we know, did not show a lack of faith or any failure to recognise the centrality of the liturgy and sacraments to our Catholic life and spirituality. Happily, as the virus abates and restrictions are eased, we can begin to move firmly and sensibly towards the reopening of churches and the resumption of public worship. We look forward eagerly to the day when it will be possible to gather again, without fear, around the altar and celebrate the Holy Eucharist together. As Bishops, we have established two Working Groups. The Covid19 Working Group, under the chairmanship of Sir Harry Burns, is focussing on what will be required to make our churches and liturgies safe spaces for private prayer and a phased return to our common liturgical life. The Pastoral Ministry Working Group, chaired by Bishop Brian McGee, is offering guidance on parish pastoral ministry until the pandemic abates. The initial results of their work are being are being published at the same time as this Letter. Our aim is to act in harmony with the guidance of the Government and the health authorities, with whom we are in conversation, and to return to our normal liturgical and devotional practice in a safe and phased way. It is important that we act together as the Catholic Church in Scotland, in step with one another, and clear about what is legitimate and prudent at each stage of the process. Until further notice, the requirement to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of obligation remains suspended.
There are many imponderables in what we are going through. Perhaps it will prove a historical watershed. There is a sense that the world cannot and will not be the same after this pandemic. This time of lockdown has allowed us to appreciate more human things, like time with family, space to reflect, the opportunity to care for our neighbours and we do not want to lose them in some return to ‘normality’. Certainly, any time of trial can prepare the ground for good things, for new beginnings and a renewal of essential values. May this be true for the Church of Christ also! We recently celebrated Pentecost and we know that the Spirit is always renewing. We encourage you to remain united in faith, hope and love and to keep responding to our current circumstances with confidence and creativity, assured by the promise of the risen Christ, “I am with you always to the end of the world” (Mt 28:20).
Yours sincerely in Christ,
+ Hugh Gilbert Bishop of Aberdeen, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
+ Leo Cushley Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
+ Philip Tartaglia Archbishop of Glasgow
+ Joseph Toal Bishop of Motherwell
+ Stephen Robson Bishop of Dunkeld
+ John Keenan Bishop of Paisley
+ William Nolan Bishop of Galloway
+ Brian McGee Bishop of Argyll and the Isles
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Peace be with you! For several weeks now, we have all been living through something we did not expect and for which we had no time to prepare ourselves, no real precedents to guide us, no previous experience to reassure us. A microscopic virus has thrown the whole world into disarray, including our normal Catholic life. In these circumstances we, the Bishops of Scotland, want to address you as we are reminded that Jesus alone is our great Hope. First of all, we want to express our closeness to those of you who have lost friends or family to Covid19 and have not been able to grieve for them in our accustomed ways. We think, too, of those who have been unwell or have felt the pain of isolation in recent weeks, of their loved ones who have not been able to tend to them because of restrictions and also those whose treatment for other conditions has been delayed. We are mindful especially of those of you who are alone, or in care homes, or in hospitals. We hope you have found comfort and consolation. Though public worship has been suspended, the sacrifice of the Mass has still been offered, and Jesus our High Priest “is always living to make intercession” for us (Heb 7:25). God does not abandon his people. So, even in the midst of all this, we can thank the Lord and you for so many good things. We think of the clergy and religious who have been so assiduous and innovative in keeping care of parishioners, and of the warm response there has been: the participation in online liturgies, the engagement with prayer, the support offered to the elderly and housebound, and much more. We have come together as a Church, priests and people. We have journeyed together and supported each other. We hope that it has been possible to intensify family prayer and to become sensitive to the many ways the Lord is present to us.
We want to thank all who, at a time of financial anxiety, have continued to be mindful of the needs of the Church. We thank those of you who are key-workers and have faced the risks to keep essential services going. There has been so much consideration of others, so much unobtrusive Christian charity, so many new initiatives. All this is surely a “capital growth” that will enrich our future. The Bishops cooperated with the Government’s requirement issued in late March to close public places of worship, along with other public spaces and gatherings. We did so with heavy hearts, but aware that this was a human and Christian duty in these exceptional circumstances. In accordance with the 5th Commandment, we have a fundamental obligation to protect our own and others’ health and life. The Church’s compliance with civil law, as we know, did not show a lack of faith or any failure to recognise the centrality of the liturgy and sacraments to our Catholic life and spirituality. Happily, as the virus abates and restrictions are eased, we can begin to move firmly and sensibly towards the reopening of churches and the resumption of public worship. We look forward eagerly to the day when it will be possible to gather again, without fear, around the altar and celebrate the Holy Eucharist together. As Bishops, we have established two Working Groups. The Covid19 Working Group, under the chairmanship of Sir Harry Burns, is focussing on what will be required to make our churches and liturgies safe spaces for private prayer and a phased return to our common liturgical life. The Pastoral Ministry Working Group, chaired by Bishop Brian McGee, is offering guidance on parish pastoral ministry until the pandemic abates. The initial results of their work are being are being published at the same time as this Letter. Our aim is to act in harmony with the guidance of the Government and the health authorities, with whom we are in conversation, and to return to our normal liturgical and devotional practice in a safe and phased way. It is important that we act together as the Catholic Church in Scotland, in step with one another, and clear about what is legitimate and prudent at each stage of the process. Until further notice, the requirement to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of obligation remains suspended.
There are many imponderables in what we are going through. Perhaps it will prove a historical watershed. There is a sense that the world cannot and will not be the same after this pandemic. This time of lockdown has allowed us to appreciate more human things, like time with family, space to reflect, the opportunity to care for our neighbours and we do not want to lose them in some return to ‘normality’. Certainly, any time of trial can prepare the ground for good things, for new beginnings and a renewal of essential values. May this be true for the Church of Christ also! We recently celebrated Pentecost and we know that the Spirit is always renewing. We encourage you to remain united in faith, hope and love and to keep responding to our current circumstances with confidence and creativity, assured by the promise of the risen Christ, “I am with you always to the end of the world” (Mt 28:20).
Yours sincerely in Christ,
+ Hugh Gilbert Bishop of Aberdeen, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
+ Leo Cushley Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
+ Philip Tartaglia Archbishop of Glasgow
+ Joseph Toal Bishop of Motherwell
+ Stephen Robson Bishop of Dunkeld
+ John Keenan Bishop of Paisley
+ William Nolan Bishop of Galloway
+ Brian McGee Bishop of Argyll and the Isles
Covid-19 FAQs
If however your health, or your inability to get to the shops, or your need to care for others, etc., makes it impossible or very difficult for you to fast or abstain from meat, you can choose some other form of penance instead.
If the person to be baptised is in real danger of death, then anyone, even a non-baptised person (e.g. a nurse or doctor, if family members or chaplains cannot access the person), can baptise them (if asked by an adult or if asked by the parents of a child). In such a situation of danger of death, the person who baptises must pour water over the candidate’s head whilst saying at the same time, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. A note should be made of this and the parish priest informed. If the person in danger of death survives, the parish priest will celebrate the other parts of the Rite of Baptism once the current restrictions are lifted.
After the current restrictions are lifted, parishes will offer public opportunities for prayer for all those buried or cremated during this time.
24th March 2020
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
In an effort to help halt the spread of the coronavirus, on top of the suspension of public Mass and other acts of worship, following Government advice, we now need to close our churches. I had hoped that this would not become necessary, but it has.
The new golden rule in this battle against the virus is that we should all stay at home, if possible, and that, outside the home, no group larger than two persons should form.
We are all a bit anxious just now. I know I am. The coronavirus will have mild effects in the vast majority of people, but, according to the experts, we can expect confirmed cases of the virus to rise and fatalities to grow in number.
At the same time, our leaders and medical officers have advised us that staying at home will halt the spread of the virus, lessen suffering and save lives.
I do not want to do anything that encourages people to come out of their homes, or that causes people to gather in a group of more than two, or that might contribute in some way to the spread of the virus through some hidden contagion. Churches therefore have to close - even for private visits.
The full package of restrictions is therefore as follows:
• Suspension of public Masses and Acts of Worship
• Closure of churches
• No marriages in church
• No baptisms in church
• No home visits to the sick
• Funerals limited to the Act of Committal at the graveside or crematorium
Thankfully, Government directives still allow for the livestreaming of Masses and other acts of worship from behind closed doors. I encourage you therefore to follow Mass online, and, as you do, to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, asking the Lord to come into your heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit, even though you cannot receive him sacramentally in Holy Communion.
Mass is celebrated online from the Cathedral every weekday at 8.15am, 1pm and 5.15pm, and on Sundays at 10am and 12 noon. You can follow these Masses at www.cathedralg1.org
It is important to be aware that, if you need any personal pastoral or sacramental care, please call or email your parish priest, and he will discuss with you how best to help you in the circumstances.
I encourage you to pray unceasingly in your homes for a halt to this epidemic, for those who are suffering, for all doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, and for our civic leaders.
You can access news updates and online prayer resources at the www.rcag.uk and other Catholic websites.
Let us together put our trust in God the Father who created us with a loving purpose.
Let us together put our trust in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who, through his death and resurrection, conquered sin and death, so that death will never have the last word in human destiny.
Let us together put our trust in God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us and gives us the strength to do what is right in every circumstance.
Let us together continue to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael and all the Holy Angels, St Andrew, St Ninian, St Mungo, St Columba, St Margaret, St John Ogilvie and all the Saints, that the human race will come through this time safely.
My dear friends, stay at home, keep safe, and may God bless us all.
Yours devotedly in Christ,
Philip Tartaglia
Archbishop of Glasgow
23rd March 2020
Government has tonight announced new measures to help halt the spread of the coronavirus. The Archdiocese of Glasgow will comply immediately with the instructions issued by the Prime Minister and First Minister. Therefore:
• Churches will be closed with immediate effect
• Baptisms and Marriages are suspended
• The instructions with regard to funerals have already been implemented in Glasgow. We will expect guidance and cooperation from undertakers with regard to the numbers allowed to attend the Crematorium or Cemetery
• All the previous advice issued by the Archdiocese last week with regard to visits to the sick, etc. is compliant with these new instructions and should be followed
• You are asked to redouble your efforts to be creative in uniting your parish in prayer and in participation in the Mass through the means of social communication.
19th March 2020
Following an extraordinary meeting of the Scottish Bishops and after much prayer and reflection, on advice from the Scottish Government have put the following in place for ALL Catholic Churches in Scotland:
1. Churches are to remain open for some hours every day so that people can benefit from the presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and from private prayer and devotion. Please see 'Mass Times & Services' for opening times.
2. Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Anointing: Priests are asked to accommodate parishioners who ask to receive Holy Communion and/or the Sacrament of Anointing.
3. Confession: Priests are asked to respond generously to requests for Confession. Confessional rooms/boxes can be used if they provide an adequate barrier between the Penitent and Confessor. Otherwise the Confession should take place in an open but private area allowing a separation of at least one metre. In our parish, confessions will be available on request and on Saturdays at 12.30.
4. Sick Calls: Routine visits to the sick should be suspended, by both Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers. Urgent requests for the Sacrament of Anointing in danger of death should be responded to observing all the necessary hygiene precautions.
5. Priests should celebrate Mass each day alone.
6. Technology permitting, Masses and other Acts of Worship from your church could be streamed on the internet.
7. Baptism of Infants/Children: can be re-scheduled unless it is pressing, in which case only parents, godparents and celebrant are present, observing the usual precautions.
8. Funerals: Given that public Masses have been suspended and that, in our context, it is practically impossible to limit numbers or have a “private” Funeral and Requiem Mass in a Parish Church, “Funeral” in effect has to mean the Committal, whether an interment or a cremation. In these circumstances, the Funeral Director will advise on number. The Priest should commit to saying Mass in private on the same day for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
9. Marriages: Given the veto on public gatherings, most weddings will probably be postponed. If a wedding takes place in church, it has to be celebrated only in the presence of the celebrant, the bride and groom, and the two witnesses.
10. First Holy Communions can be postponed for the time being.
11. Confirmations are suspended for the time being.
Any further updates will appear here. Please help to make people aware, especially older and more vulnerable parishioners. Fr. David remains available to you at this time so please don't hesitate to get in touch.
- What if I can’t get to Confession
- Can I go to Confession by telephone or using a video messaging app?
- What if a relative gets sick and cannot receive the Sacrament of the Sick?
- What about my Sunday Obligation?
- Good Friday Fast & Abstinence
If however your health, or your inability to get to the shops, or your need to care for others, etc., makes it impossible or very difficult for you to fast or abstain from meat, you can choose some other form of penance instead.
- What about my Easter duties?
- Marriages
- Baptisms
If the person to be baptised is in real danger of death, then anyone, even a non-baptised person (e.g. a nurse or doctor, if family members or chaplains cannot access the person), can baptise them (if asked by an adult or if asked by the parents of a child). In such a situation of danger of death, the person who baptises must pour water over the candidate’s head whilst saying at the same time, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. A note should be made of this and the parish priest informed. If the person in danger of death survives, the parish priest will celebrate the other parts of the Rite of Baptism once the current restrictions are lifted.
- Funerals
After the current restrictions are lifted, parishes will offer public opportunities for prayer for all those buried or cremated during this time.
- First Confessions
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmations
24th March 2020
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
In an effort to help halt the spread of the coronavirus, on top of the suspension of public Mass and other acts of worship, following Government advice, we now need to close our churches. I had hoped that this would not become necessary, but it has.
The new golden rule in this battle against the virus is that we should all stay at home, if possible, and that, outside the home, no group larger than two persons should form.
We are all a bit anxious just now. I know I am. The coronavirus will have mild effects in the vast majority of people, but, according to the experts, we can expect confirmed cases of the virus to rise and fatalities to grow in number.
At the same time, our leaders and medical officers have advised us that staying at home will halt the spread of the virus, lessen suffering and save lives.
I do not want to do anything that encourages people to come out of their homes, or that causes people to gather in a group of more than two, or that might contribute in some way to the spread of the virus through some hidden contagion. Churches therefore have to close - even for private visits.
The full package of restrictions is therefore as follows:
• Suspension of public Masses and Acts of Worship
• Closure of churches
• No marriages in church
• No baptisms in church
• No home visits to the sick
• Funerals limited to the Act of Committal at the graveside or crematorium
Thankfully, Government directives still allow for the livestreaming of Masses and other acts of worship from behind closed doors. I encourage you therefore to follow Mass online, and, as you do, to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, asking the Lord to come into your heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit, even though you cannot receive him sacramentally in Holy Communion.
Mass is celebrated online from the Cathedral every weekday at 8.15am, 1pm and 5.15pm, and on Sundays at 10am and 12 noon. You can follow these Masses at www.cathedralg1.org
It is important to be aware that, if you need any personal pastoral or sacramental care, please call or email your parish priest, and he will discuss with you how best to help you in the circumstances.
I encourage you to pray unceasingly in your homes for a halt to this epidemic, for those who are suffering, for all doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, and for our civic leaders.
You can access news updates and online prayer resources at the www.rcag.uk and other Catholic websites.
Let us together put our trust in God the Father who created us with a loving purpose.
Let us together put our trust in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who, through his death and resurrection, conquered sin and death, so that death will never have the last word in human destiny.
Let us together put our trust in God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us and gives us the strength to do what is right in every circumstance.
Let us together continue to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael and all the Holy Angels, St Andrew, St Ninian, St Mungo, St Columba, St Margaret, St John Ogilvie and all the Saints, that the human race will come through this time safely.
My dear friends, stay at home, keep safe, and may God bless us all.
Yours devotedly in Christ,
Philip Tartaglia
Archbishop of Glasgow
23rd March 2020
Government has tonight announced new measures to help halt the spread of the coronavirus. The Archdiocese of Glasgow will comply immediately with the instructions issued by the Prime Minister and First Minister. Therefore:
• Churches will be closed with immediate effect
• Baptisms and Marriages are suspended
• The instructions with regard to funerals have already been implemented in Glasgow. We will expect guidance and cooperation from undertakers with regard to the numbers allowed to attend the Crematorium or Cemetery
• All the previous advice issued by the Archdiocese last week with regard to visits to the sick, etc. is compliant with these new instructions and should be followed
• You are asked to redouble your efforts to be creative in uniting your parish in prayer and in participation in the Mass through the means of social communication.
19th March 2020
Following an extraordinary meeting of the Scottish Bishops and after much prayer and reflection, on advice from the Scottish Government have put the following in place for ALL Catholic Churches in Scotland:
1. Churches are to remain open for some hours every day so that people can benefit from the presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and from private prayer and devotion. Please see 'Mass Times & Services' for opening times.
2. Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Anointing: Priests are asked to accommodate parishioners who ask to receive Holy Communion and/or the Sacrament of Anointing.
3. Confession: Priests are asked to respond generously to requests for Confession. Confessional rooms/boxes can be used if they provide an adequate barrier between the Penitent and Confessor. Otherwise the Confession should take place in an open but private area allowing a separation of at least one metre. In our parish, confessions will be available on request and on Saturdays at 12.30.
4. Sick Calls: Routine visits to the sick should be suspended, by both Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers. Urgent requests for the Sacrament of Anointing in danger of death should be responded to observing all the necessary hygiene precautions.
5. Priests should celebrate Mass each day alone.
6. Technology permitting, Masses and other Acts of Worship from your church could be streamed on the internet.
7. Baptism of Infants/Children: can be re-scheduled unless it is pressing, in which case only parents, godparents and celebrant are present, observing the usual precautions.
8. Funerals: Given that public Masses have been suspended and that, in our context, it is practically impossible to limit numbers or have a “private” Funeral and Requiem Mass in a Parish Church, “Funeral” in effect has to mean the Committal, whether an interment or a cremation. In these circumstances, the Funeral Director will advise on number. The Priest should commit to saying Mass in private on the same day for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
9. Marriages: Given the veto on public gatherings, most weddings will probably be postponed. If a wedding takes place in church, it has to be celebrated only in the presence of the celebrant, the bride and groom, and the two witnesses.
10. First Holy Communions can be postponed for the time being.
11. Confirmations are suspended for the time being.
Any further updates will appear here. Please help to make people aware, especially older and more vulnerable parishioners. Fr. David remains available to you at this time so please don't hesitate to get in touch.
