Ecumenical joint statement regarding pandemic
By Katie Ascough
In a joint statement on 27 March, following a video conference, the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Methodist Church in Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Irish Council of Churches have paid tribute to everyone in the health and social care services and those in the frontline for their courage in the battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The leaders of Ireland’s main Churches, together with other denominations and Christian organisations, also issued a call to pray which will take place on Palm Sunday, 05 April, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Church leaders Most Rev Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland; Rev Brian Anderson, President of the Irish Council of Churches; Rt Rev Dr William Henry, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Rt Rev John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop-elect of Armagh; and Rev Sam McGuffin, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland state:
“In these days when we can no longer gather and ‘be church’ in the traditional way, the call to live out the Gospel as agents of God’s mercy and compassion, through the sacrifices that we make to protect the vulnerable and by finding new ways to be Good Samaritans and good neighbours, is as powerful as ever.
“To all who are suffering, have lost loved ones and are anxious in these unprecedented days, we pray that you may find strength and comfort in the loving presence of Christ who promised to be with his people always (Matthew 28:20).
“As Church Leaders, we want to thank everyone in our health and social care services and those working on the frontline, for their courage as they work selflessly to minimise the suffering caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Alongside our chaplains and pastoral teams, they have chosen to walk towards the danger for our sake. We owe it to them to play our part in limiting the spread of this virus by staying home and practising social distancing when we need to go out.
“With this crisis has come a heightened awareness of our interconnectedness and interdependency and a new recognition of the vast array of jobs that are essential to the functioning of our society. All our workers, whether called into service at this time, or asked to stay home, need to be adequately protected.
“In the midst of this suffering, however, we can see many signs of hope. The speed with which local communities, involving churches, community groups, charities, businesses and other local community leaders, who have mobilised in response to this unprecedented challenge, has been a great reassurance to many.
“We still have a long way to go in the fight against COVID-19 and its consequences. We will need many volunteers for our health service and to protect the vulnerable. Charities that provide much-needed support also need donations, so please consider giving online. We are all called to make sacrifices, but the burden of suffering will not be evenly shared.
“In a short space of time the rhythm and pattern of our everyday lives has changed. There is however one constant throughout – an ever-loving God who tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10.)
“As we look to Him with our pastoral and practical concerns during these unparalleled times, as the island battles this pandemic, standing alongside other denominations and Christian organisations, we are today issuing a call to pray.
“As Christians, we believe that prayer sustains our life as followers of Christ. In the midst of this global pandemic, we turn to Jesus in our time of need. As Church leaders, we join together in calling all our people to pray. As we begin the journey through Holy Week towards Good Friday and Easter, we invite all Christians from across the whole Church to join in prayer on Palm Sunday, 05 April, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., remembering that we should only gather to pray within our own households, in line with government advice.
“God loves the world and everyone in it. We will pray for those who are sick, and those feeling fearful; we will pray for those who have been bereaved and those who are isolated and alone. We will pray for our healthcare professionals, delivery drivers, essential workers and all who continue to work on the frontline. We will pray for, and with those in our communities, who are fearful about their employment and for those reaching out to provide food and shelter. We will pray for our families and friends, neighbours and civic, business and political leaders for the inevitable challenges that will arise in the coming days. We also remember those across our world who are similarly suffering. We pray for those working hard to produce new treatments and vaccines.
“Though we cannot meet as the gathered Church, we will end the hour united in prayer, asking for the Lord’s healing touch on our land and all its people. All are invited to pray, regardless of where they are in their own journey of faith, even if they have never prayed before. At this critical moment we will bring this land and our world before our loving God in prayer remembering that, ‘We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy’ (Daniel 9:18).”
Ecumenical group of church leaders releases joint statement regarding pandemic
Dia dhuit Katie
Thank you for writing this and wonderful to see that this is happening and on Palm Sunday.
Greetings from Myaree,Perth in Western Australia.
The Christian Church really is a Church of Unity.
Perhaps we really need a true sense of “Unity of Purpose”
in these trying times to come out of this at the other end, and seem some light at the end of the tunnel and new green shoots in a Church humbled and more united .. ….
The general Community might need to see this happening as well and rellize that to an extent “Unity is Strength”
Thank you
Michael Sullivan
I think this is a wonderful initiative by the whole Christian Church in Ireland and thanks to Katie for sharing this with us. I really feel heartened by it. As Michael rightly says the Christian Church should really be is a Church of Unity and that is what many of us have worked and prayed for for many years.
This gives me hope in this time of uncertainty and anxiety.
Well done the Irish Church.
As Christians we certainly do need a sense of Unity of Purpose and, as Michael also says “The general Community might need to see this happening as well and realize that to an extent “Unity is Strength”.
Sadly, here in Scotland there is no similar coming together of the Christian Church, as far as I am aware.
Indeed , our Catholic bishops, in their wisdom, have given us the Memorare as their suggested prayer for us all to pray in this time of crisis.
Now, whatever the Memorare may be, it certainly is not an ecumenical prayer. The Our Father surely would have been appropriate as all Christians pray it.
I have also heard that during some of these online/ streamed masses, there have been suggestions that parishioners could perhaps consider setting up a direct debit or standing order to enable their weekly contribution to the parish to be made until service resumes. This has not gone down well, at least, with those who have mentioned it to me. And, that can not be a great surprise given the financial uncertainty if not actual distress many are experiencing at the moment.
I would guess parish finances would probably be more stable at the moment than the finances of many families and individuals.
I found all this very hard to believe but, apparently, it has happened.