This Guidance is offered to the Dioceses of England and Wales as the country moves into Step 4 of the Government's Covid-19 Response Roadmap. This comes into effect on Monday, 19 July 2021.
This Guidance is offered to the Dioceses of England and Wales as the country moves into Step 4 (19 July) of the Government Covid-19 Response Roadmap published in February 2021. This date has been delayed by five weeks as the Government wanted to ensure that a greater proportion of the public had received the vaccine before moving to this point.
It is important to reiterate that as Step 4 is reached, the general principles of continuing to create a safe environment in places of worship and their ancillary buildings are not abandoned. Indeed, the way forward must be a collective endeavour of all involved in the daily life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Recognition of the presence of the virus in the population means that certain preventative practices will still be required, and this is important to ensure that Diocesan trustees are seen to be discharging their Health and Safety duties.
Statement from Canon Richard Walker confirming regulations for Easter services 2021
Dear Father, dear Deacon,
The Vade Mecum for Holy Week this year has now been received from the Bishops’ Conference and I attach it for your attention. It is my hope that it is reasonably self-explanatory and does not need additional commentary. Much of the guidelines are similar to Holy Week last year, although there are differences. There are two things of particular note. Firstly, that on Good Friday additional celebrations may, if necessary, be considered, taking into account associated risks This is due to the potential on Good Friday for large numbers wishing to attend. Secondly, that at the Easter Vigil the Baptism of Catechumens, the Reception of other Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church and the Confirmation is not recommended but should take place at another time. This is to avoid associated risk and because of the increased length of time in church that such actions would necessitate.
I also attach the Government’s COVID 19 Response – Spring 2021 and the COVID Roadmap. These documents give, in detail, the proposed steps and dates for coming out of lockdown. Not all of this information is particularly relevant for us, but the details of the four steps and the helpful summary given by Canon Christopher Thomas at the end of the Roadmap document is useful in giving us an idea of the envisaged gradual increase in numbers allowed for marriages, funerals and baptisms together with proposed dates. These documents also make reference to community centres, the rules for which will apply to our parish and church halls, and a summary of relevant guidelines regarding these will be sent out shortly.
The current guidelines for singing are set out below as a useful reminder, given that I am aware that things can get lost amidst the barrage of information.
· Where singing or chanting is essential to an act of worship, this should be limited to one person wherever possible. Exceptionally, where it is essential to the service, up to three individuals should be permitted to do so. Strict social distancing should be observed and the use of Plexi-glass screens should be considered to protect worshippers, and each other.
· Communal singing should not take place. This applies even if social distancing is being observed or face coverings are used.
Kind regards,
Canon Richard Walker
On Tuesday 9th March 2021, the CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES issued guidelines regarding Holy Week 2021, in accordance "Vade Mecum for Holy Week 2021".
General principles detailed below.
Some of the most beloved rituals of Holy Week will not take place this year because of continuing concerns about transmission of the coronavirus. Instead there will be only subdued, limited services in England and Wales, following the issuing of instructions from the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.
In a vade mecum – or guidance note – published on Tuesday, the bishops’ general principles include:
1 Abandoning the outdoor Palm Sunday procession
2 Cutting the washing of feet at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday
3 Leaving out the procession to the Altar of Repose and watching at the Altar of Repose
4 Stopping Adoration of the Cross by everyone other than the celebrant on Good Friday
5 Removing the outdoor parts of the Easter Vigil including the lighting of the paschal candal
6 Urging that nobody is baptised or received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.
In its note, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales explains: “The theological meaning found through the celebrations of Holy Week with their richness of sign and symbol have to be tempered by the provision that the Church in England and Wales is part of a broader community in which the possibilities of virus transmission are still high”.
And in an effort to bring the faithful together, despite the continuing difficulties of worship at this time, it has urged people who cannot attend services in person to focus instead on the liturgies of their local bishop. The vade mecum says: “There should be a focus on the media coverage of liturgies presided over by the diocesan bishop so that those who are unable to attend their own church [should] follow the diocesan celebrations as a sign of unity. Thus the times of the cathedral celebrations of the Sacred Triduum should be promoted in each of the dioceses of England and Wales alongside the local parochial celebrations.”
While the reconfigured rubrics may come as a blow to Catholics for whom the Triduum is the most precious moment of the liturgical year, the amendments mark progress from last year when congregations could not attend any services at all. This year’s plans have been drawn up following a note being issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome, discussions with the Government’s places of worship task force, which has kept its ban on congregational singing, and advice from the Catholic bishops’ own public health adviser, Jim McManus.
One surprise for the laity will be the decision not to hold events outside, such as the Palm Sunday procession and the first part of the Easter Vigil, but there was concern that these might lead to crowding, a lack of social distancing and, with the Easter Vigil, people bumping into one another in the dark.
Among the key guidance outlined in the vade mecum is that on Palm Sunday, as well as no procession, the bishops urge the shorter form of the Gospel of Mark should be used and without multiple readers. Palm branches can be distributed.
The Chrism Mass can go ahead with some concelebrants, renewal of priestly promises and distribution of oils.
On Maundy Thursday, for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, as well as no feet washing there will be no procession to the altar of repose, and “the altar should not be stripped in the usual manner”. Watching is not possible either.
On Good Friday there are cuts to the main Good Friday service, with the “turba” parts of the Gospel not exclaimed by the congregation. Adoration of the Cross is limited to the celebrant. During the prayers, a special intention for the “afflicted in time of pandemic” should be inserted.
If Stations of the Cross takes place on Good Friday, the congregation should not move around the church.
At the Easter Vigil there should be no carrying of the paschal candle and instead it should be lit before the congregation arrives or at the beginning of the service. The faithful should not have votive candles. The Reading should be cut to two Old Testament extracts from the Law and Prophets, plus Exodus 14 and its canticle, and the Gospel. Baptisms, receptions and Confirmations are not recommended.
On Easter Day Mass can be celebrated as usual, but with no sprinkling of water.
Mass: COVID-19 Guidance Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 @ 5:23 pm
COVID Restrictions Update (7th January 2021)
COVID Restrictions Update (7th January 2021)
The UK Government announced further restrictions to combat the on-going Covid-19 restrictions. In short, those living in England have been instructed to stay at home, expect for specific reasons (see list below)
Individuals are expected to follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules within the next few days.
Leaving home
Individuals must not leave or be outside of their home except where necessary.
Individuals can leave their home to:
Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.
Higher Education provision will remain online until mid-February for all except future critical worker courses.
If an individual does leave their home for a permitted reason, they should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where they live. They may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.
If an individual is designated as clinically extremely vulnerable (see attached for list of conditions) they should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. They should not attend work.
Meeting others
Individuals cannot leave their home to meet socially with anyone they do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if they are legally permitted to form one).
Individuals can continue to exercise on your own, with one other person, or with their household or support bubble.
Individuals should not meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.
There are further reasonable reasons, these include to fulfil legal obligations or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting, or renting a residential property, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum.
It is expected that these new restrictions will remain for some time to come. I will endeavour to keep you updated as they amended. In the interim, please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or queries about them or on the national Coronavirus Job Retention (furlough leave) scheme which still open and available for use until the end of April 2021.
Gerry Dryden
Human Resources & Communications Director
Archdiocese of Birmingham, Cathedral House, St Chad’s, Queensway, BIRMINGHAM. B4 6EX
COVID Restrictions Update (7th January 2021)
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (January 2021)
There are 2.2 million people in England classified as being at high-risk, including those who have received organ transplants or are on immunosuppressant drugs. On checking the NHS website this is the current list of conditions, which fall into this category they are:
Gerry Dryden
Human Resources & Communications Director
Archdiocese of Birmingham, Cathedral House, St Chad’s, Queensway, BIRMINGHAM. B4 6EX
COVID Restrictions Update (25th November 2020)
As you will be aware the current lockdown is due to end on the 2nd December. I have now received guidelines that confirm that communal worship will be able to restart from the 2nd December in all Local Restriction Tiers. I attach a table with the relevant information. Effectively this is a return to the COVID-secure principles that existed in our churches as at the 5th November.
Fr Julius
Full Transcript Safer singing GOV.UK(002) Gov Tier Guide for Places of Worship
COVID-19 Tier 1 Poster COVID-19 Tier 2 Poster COVID-19 Tier 3 Poster
St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
41 Bee Lane, Wolverhampton, WV10 6LE, UNITED KINGDOM
01902 782144
email:
stanthony.wolves@rcaob.org.uk