The Anglican Church has suspended services for the next two weeks, Bishop of Barbados the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell announced today.
In a release, Bishop Maxwell declared: “In our Government’s effort to minimise the rate of transmission of COVID-19, we have been requested to limit our social interaction and to ensure that any gathering of persons should not exceed 100 people.
“As a result, the Anglican Church recognises that it cannot be “business as usual” and therefore we need to change our modus operandi.”
No regular Sunday church services, namely Matins, Holy Eucharist and Evensong are to be held until Sunday April 5, for the time being, he said.
The Bishop announced the diocese will be seeking to organise “broadcasting and/or streaming of a time of worship, and will be encouraging all Anglicans and others to tune in where possible”, adding that details will be given as soon as it is finalised.
“The church is also calling all to observe this Sunday as a Special Day of Prayer for our nation and the world,” said the Bishop’s statement.
Restrictions have also been placed on weddings and funerals, which are to be limited to the immediate family, while baptisms and confirmations will only be conducted “under extreme circumstances and done privately”, it added.
On church committee meetings and office hours for priests, the diocesw said: “In-person meetings of committees, organisations and other church ministries will be held only when absolutely necessary, and pastoral care and regular office hours for clergy and staff will continue, while taking all the necessary precautions of good hygiene and social distancing.
“Committee meetings should be kept brief, and if possible, participants should consider using social media platforms to conduct these meetings.”
Bishop Maxwell said church buildings will be opened as often as practical, with the necessary security in place, to accommodate people who may want to come in and spend time in personal prayer.
Pastoral support, counsel and prayers for those with flu-like symptoms will be offered via telephone or social media, he said though adding that “clergy will endeavour to maintain contact with members of the congregation with the assistance of members of the Parochial Church Council, Pastoral Ministers and Organisational Leaders”.
Bishop Maxwell’s statement concluded: “Our church will continue to pray for our nation and our world, and encourage all to be of good courage, knowing that our God will be at our side to see us through this pandemic.”
