Coronavirus and the Church of England


Some friendly advice for churches on coronavirus

Since this blog was published, the advice has changed. The content has been mostly taken down so as not to provide a confusing account.

The following section remains, however, relevant:

·      It is absolutely possible that there will be 100,000 deaths from this virus. What do we practically need to do for this?
·      We may have to suspend services or close churches. What are our priorities?
o   This includes ordinations coming up in June – the peak may well be between June and August
o   This also includes the Lambeth Conference, which absolutely *must* be cancelled, surely
·      This may go on until September at least – what is our strategy at a national and local level?
·      Our churches need to be hospitable but safe:
o   How do we keep in touch with our elderly members?
o   How do we witness to the love of God in difficult times?
o   How do we ensure we are not alarmist?
o   How do we talk to people about hope in time of trial?
·      We may need to suspend particular ecclesiological and sacramental norms – what is our theology for this?
·      What theology, indeed, do we have to draw on for the reality of mortality and morbidity in an epidemic?

Comments

  1. dstamps14 March 2020 at 09:19

    Many thanks indeed. The CofE website does say Bishops may lay hands on for confirmation and ordination, but wash before doing so.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A Richards15 March 2020 at 09:55

    Hi Charlie. Nick’s dad here. Excellent post. I’ll pass it on to our Vicar. To confirm the comment above I was at the collation of the new Archdeacon of St Albans on Saturday and Bishop Alan both laid hands and anointed with oil.

    ReplyDelete

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