THE Catholic Church is set to allow priests to suspend the use of the 'sign of peace' during Mass and will consider having Holy Water fonts emptied as a direct response to the threat of swine flu contamination.Last night, a Catholic Church spokesman said that bishops nationally have already discussed the potential threat posed by swine flu -- and will be guided "by the good advice of health experts and common-sense".
Bishops have agreed to appoint a person in each diocese to liaise with public health authorities over the virus -- but decisions on restricting public contact will, for the moment, be left to individual bishops.
"Each bishop will be taking whatever measures they deem appropriate in light of advice and the local public health situation," a spokesman said.
One leading Irish bishop has now written to priests throughout his diocese to allow them to temporarily suspend the use of the 'sign of peace' for mass-goers. But there is no question at the moment of Masses being restricted to stop or slow the spread of the disease.
In England, one bishop has already proposed emptying all Holy Water fonts to minimise contact at Mass for the duration of the outbreak.
The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, said he was taking the step on the 'sign of peace' as a direct response to concerns already voiced by members of the public.
Now priests throughout the diocese will temporarily suspend the admonition to Mass-goers to offer each other the 'sign of peace', whereby parishioners shake hands with each other during the service. It is expected that other Irish bishops will follow suit over the coming weeks.
Pandemic
Dr Buckley, in his letter to clergy, explained that the measure was a direct response to public concerns and the views of Irish health experts.
"In view of the concerns that have been raised of the possibility of spreading swine flu by shaking hands in the church, I am asking that the congregation desist from the practice," he said. "The matter is being discussed at the archbishops conference and they continue to keep the situation under review."
Dr Buckley said that once the major flu concerns had passed, the 'sign of peace' would immediately be reinstated.
In the interim, Mass-goers are being given the option of smiling, nodding or bowing to each other.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Source (II)
SV (4)