Covid Update to Clergy - 02 June 2022

Thursday 02 June 2022

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Dear Fathers and Deacons.

Over the last two years, places of worship within the Archdiocese of Perth have had to significantly adjust the way we worship in our churches as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on our nation.

During this time, the Archdiocese of Perth continued to support and comply with all government directives and associated public health advice to ensure that all necessary measures were in place for Catholic parishes to worship safely.

Though this has been a challenging and difficult time for us all, I would like to personally thank each of you for your continued clarity, pastoral care and the provision of ongoing accompaniment that you have offered your people in the midst of this pandemic.

As you would be aware, the Western Australian Government has transitioned to baseline public health and social measures which sees the modification or discontinuation of many of the restrictions related to:

• Venue Capacity
• Mask Wearing
• Proof of Vaccination
• Hospital & Aged Care Facility Visitations
• Travel

As a result of the new baseline public health and social measures, it is now time for our parishes to return to the liturgical practices as they were prior to the pandemic. Therefore, and with immediate effect, all COVID-19 restrictions within parishes of the Archdiocese of Perth are rescinded with the exception of the Sunday Obligation for which a dispensation still applies.

Please note that as Western Australia deals with the significant number of COVID-19 cases, I would like to encourage you to promote safe hygiene practices (wearing of masks and hand sanitisers), social distancing as required and consider maintaining the following liturgical practices until such time as the COVID-19 case numbers reduce:

• Offertory gifts are to be in closed vessels or, where this is not possible, vessels should be appropriately covered.
• The Sign of Peace is to be given without physical contact.
• All priests and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are to wash their hands in soap and water or are to use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser both immediately before and immediately after the distribution of Holy Communion.

Please do not hesitate to contact Frank Tassone, Senior Operations Officer, Office of the Vicar General, on 6104 3600 or frank.tassone@perthcatholic.org.au if you have any queries or need assistance.