Please find below points to be noted from a letter from Archbishop Tartaglia (part 1 below this post) which describes the particular procedures to be followed in the Archdiocese of Glasgow in the light of today’s earlier statement from the Bishops’ Conference.
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.
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.
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.
St Andrew's Cathedral Glasgow Livestream Services has live streamed daily Masses form St Andrew's Cathedral Glasgow
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.
12.RCIA: Catechumens and candidates have been preparing for a long time for baptism or reception into the Church. To allow them to answer the call of faith, priests may still celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation with them despite of the general suspension of public Mass.
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.
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.
St Andrew's Cathedral Glasgow Livestream Services has live streamed daily Masses form St Andrew's Cathedral Glasgow
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.
12.RCIA: Catechumens and candidates have been preparing for a long time for baptism or reception into the Church. To allow them to answer the call of faith, priests may still celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation with them despite of the general suspension of public Mass.
