During the most recent meeting of the Episcopal Council, I reviewed with the Episcopal Vicars and Vicars General all of the protocols that are still in place with respect to our churches, halls and offices. As of Monday, 6 June 2022, I hereby abrogate all the restrictions and expectations as found in all previous COVID-related directives with the exception of the following.
1. Some Precautions for the General Public
Though the worst of COVID -19 seems to have passed, we are aware that there are still variants which arise from time to time and that there is still danger of the spread of the virus. Therefore, all are encouraged to continue to wear masks in public spaces such as churches and halls. In offices, sensitivity to those who may be immuno-compromised should be shown by a willingness to wear masks also in the public spaces of our offices.
It is prudent, as well, to continue to make hand sanitizer available in all of our buildings.
If a member of your staff, parish team, volunteer or a parishioner has symptoms of
COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, follow the directions, such as those given for isolation, on the website of your local health unit. There is no longer a need to report positive cases to the Diocesan Centre.
2. Dispensation from the Sunday Obligation Extended
The celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments is central to our Catholic faith. Not only do we need to pray and hear the word of God together, but our participation in Holy Communion is the essential “food for our journey” as disciples of Jesus. For this reason, we need to encourage the faithful to return to the celebration of Mass, providing a warm welcome, good homilies and good music – really, good liturgies in general – the three points I have often highlighted when I have spoken with various groups.
Our Pastoral Services team is working with people across the Diocese to develop the “Nurturing Joy Initiative”. The idea is to have a diocesan-wide approach to welcoming all those who have continued to come to Mass during the pandemic and to encourage those who until now have been concerned about returning. In later stages of “Nurturing Joy”, we want to extend such a welcome to the “de-churched” (those who for any number of reasons have stopped coming to Mass and the sacraments) and the “un-churched” (those who have no affiliation with any Church or ecclesial community). This is a vital part of the work of evangelization and the raison d’être of the Church, to bring people to Jesus and to form them as disciples.
We realize, however, that many are still cautious and concerned about being in crowds, since COVID is still with us. As such, we want to be sensitive to their needs and to serve them in the best way possible. Therefore, the dispensation from the Sunday obligation is now extended to the last weekend of the summer vacation period, that is, until 6 September 2022. Unless a serious danger presents itself again at some future date, this will be the last extension. The removal of the dispensation will be confirmed before Labour Day.
3. Restrictions within the Mass
Mass should be celebrated as before the pandemic, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
There remain three restrictions, however, within the celebration of the Mass:
People should be invited to exchange the Sign of Peace in such a way that people will still feel comfortable when not wishing to make actual contact.
Communion from the Cup is not to be given to members of the congregation. Concelebrating priests must receive by intinction or from a separate cup; deacons, if served the Precious Blood, must be served from a separate cup. Intinction is not used for deacons or any members of the faithful.
All ministers of Holy Communion must wear a mask for the distribution of Communion. As well, hand sanitizer must be used prior to distributing Communion and after any communicant receives Communion on the tongue.
4. Other Sacraments
All the sacraments are to be celebrated according to the rubrics in the ritual books. Sacraments may be celebrated within the context of the Mass.
Continued vigilance in our parishes has borne much fruit, and we are glad to see the lifting of these restrictions. With Bishop Dabrowski, I thank all our priests, pastoral teams and the many volunteers who have worked hard to make it possible for us to celebrate our faith under these restraints throughout the pandemic. May Our Blessed Mother and St. Patrick, our heavenly patrons, continue to intercede for us.
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB
Bishop of London