The following Framework document has been complied by the the Irish Catholic Bishop Conference (Irish Episcopal Conference), to ensure that parishes in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland are prepared for opening for the celebration of public Mass and the Sacraments.
IRISH EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE
Framework document for a return to the public celebration of Mass and the Sacraments
Published: 9 June 2020
This document is intended to support dioceses and parishes in their own preparations for a return to the public celebration of Mass and the sacraments and may be supplemented at diocesan level. These guidelines should be read in conjunction with return to work protocols and insurance advice. Diocesan bishops are encouraged to put in place appropriate mechanisms for the implementation and verification of the guidelines.
The guidelines provided in this document may need to be adapted in some cases, depending on factors such as the capacity and layout of churches, the size of the parish/church community, etc. However, in all circumstances the safety and health of people, ministers, and priests must be paramount. No church should be opened for public prayer or worship until satisfactory arrangements, as indicated in this Framework, have been put in place.
It is most important that people who are vulnerable or unwell, and especially those with any symptoms that might suggest Covid-19 infection, should stay at home and, if possible, participate, as now, via webcam, social media, television, or radio. The same applies to those who have been in recent contact with someone who has the virus, in accordance with public health advice.
INITIAL STEPS
The following steps should be undertaken in each parish to ensure that the preparations in each church are efficiently and effectively planned.
ACTION 1.
Establish a Covid-19 Support Team of parishioners to organise preparations and to oversee their implementation and verification. (the verification process may be assisted at Pastoral Area and/or Diocesan level)
CONFIRM / COMMENT
ACTION 2.
The following steps should be undertaken in each parish to ensure that the preparations in each church are efficiently and effectively planned.
CONFIRM / COMMENT
ACTION 3.
CONFIRM / COMMENT
ACTION 4.
CONFIRM / COMMENT
CHECKLISTS
CHECKLISTS
Dioceses and parishes should at all times follow the most up-to-date public health advice and associated regulations and obligations. To reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19, public health advice emphasises the importance of strict adherence to physical distancing, good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and regular cleaning and sanitising of shared spaces.
A. Physical (Social) Distancing
A. Physical (Social) Distancing
Public health authorities advise that people should maintain physical distance from each other (currently at least 2 metres). In our churches this will mean that the maximum number of people who can be accommodated for any communal prayer or liturgy will be much reduced. The demands of physical distancing will also need to be considered in relation to people entering the church and leaving it.
The following checklist is offered to assist dioceses and parishes in ensuring that physical distancing can be observed in our churches:
Having considered the most up-to-date advice on physical distancing, what is the number of people that can be accommodated safely in each church?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
ACTION 6.
How will this be managed?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
ACTION 7.
How will this be communicated to the people?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Have we clearly indicated the areas in the church where people can sit (e.g. by closing off rows of seats, allowing one person to sit at the end of each free row while permitting those from the same household to sit together, etc.)?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Have we stewards available, as necessary and appropriate, to assist people entering or leaving the church and to direct them to available seats?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Have we provided appropriate marking to help people to maintain physical distance, particularly when approaching for Holy Communion?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Have we taken account of the needs of people with disabilities?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Have we issued clear advice regarding people observing physical distancing while outside the church?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Is there appropriate signage to communicate these messages?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
B. Maintenance of Hygiene
While each person has individual responsibility for following advice on hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, the church environment should itself be as safe as any enclosed public space.
The following checklist is offered to assist dioceses and parishes in maintaining the standard of hygiene required in our churches at the present time.
Have all Holy Water fonts been emptied?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
If it is decided to continue providing toilet facilities, are these clean and appropriately stocked?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Can doors be kept open when people are arriving and departing from Mass or other celebrations to minimise contact with door handles, etc. and to improve ventilation?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Have sufficient hand sanitisers been provided at all entrances and exits?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Has the issue of the sharing of missalettes been considered? (reusable prayer books, hymnals, hymn sheets, etc. should not be distributed at this time)
CONFIRM / COMMENT
What safe mechanism has been put in place for taking up church collections (e.g. secure and supervised boxes near the doors of the church)?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Have we identified those areas and objects in the church which will require frequent cleaning (i.e. seats, ambo, microphones, shrines, door handles, etc.)?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Has a process been put in place to ensure the regular cleaning of these, including after every gathering?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
Is there a schedule for, and appropriate monitoring of general cleaning and sanitising of the church, including the sacristy?
CONFIRM / COMMENT
LITURGICAL MATTERS
A return to public worship, even gradually, will be a source of great joy and hope to our parish communities. Public health considerations will, however, require some practical adjustments to the way we celebrate our liturgies. These should not in any way compromise the integrity of the liturgy and every effort should be made to support active participation and prayerful and joyful celebration.
23. The following should be noted:
COMMUNICATION
Each Diocese should plan for the clear and effective communication of all necessary protocols and procedures to all parishes in the Diocese.