Churches respond to threat from virus

TOWNSVILLE Bishop Timothy Harris has issued directives for local churches and clergy to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, which include the temporary removal of holy water and changes to the drinking of church wine.

Bishop Harris met with the Townsville Catholic Education Office, Centacare, Mary MacKillop Childcare Service, Saints Catholic College and other agencies to plan a response to the coronavirus spread.

His directives are that communion will only be received in one hand, that holy water should be removed from stoops at the doors of churches, and people sick with flu-like symptoms are to stay at home and not attend mass until their sickness passes.

The practice of distributing the precious blood (wine) will also stop except for the celebrant only, and clergy and parishioners should not touch each other by shaking hands at the kiss of peace; a nod or a smile is appropriate with the words “peace be with you”.

All ministers of Holy Communion – both ordinary and extraordinary – are to wash their hands with soap and hot water before distribution of Holy Communion commences.

“I will be monitoring the situation on a daily basis and please God we can return to our usual practices when the threat is judged to be nonexistent or low,” Bishop Harris said on Facebook.

“Of course, ongoing vigilance is essential, threat or no threat. We pray for the victims of the virus around the world. May we play our part in doing what we can to stop the spread of COVID-19.”