Cautious chaplains using Bible page copies

HOSPITAL chaplains are photocopying pages of the Bible and prayer books and destroying them after reading last rites to avoid spreading coronavirus.

Alfred Banya, head of chaplaincy at King’s College Hospital Trust in London, has revealed how the new safety measures have become part of a shift in the way clergy in hospitals are operating. The 61-year-old Roman Catholic deacon told The Sunday Tele

graph he destroys photocopied pages in an attempt to reassure his wife and four children that he is taking steps to protect himself and others.

“There are clear guidelines from faith groups about giving sacrament of the sick and anointing and I don’t take prayer books or Bibles inside,” he said. “If I need to read out a prayer, I will photocopy it so I can throw it in the bin.” He explained that chaplains are now responding to up to 12 end of life requests a day, double the normal number received at the trust’s three sites.

The workload has also increased due to relatives barred from visits contacting chaplains to ask them to check on loved ones. While Mr Banya used to spend 45 minutes with patients, he has now been reduced to 10.

There has also been a rise in the number of medical staff requesting spiritual support as they mourn those who they have treated and lost.