Diocese of Down and Connor Covid-19: Directives

24 Mar 2020

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 remain open to the public for “solitary prayer”.

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

ENDS