Frankfurt, 15 March 2020 -- In view of the increasing spread of the coronavirus, the diocese of Limburg wrote to all parishes and institutions and asked them to take special precautionary measures to protect against infection. There is currently no reason for the churches to be closed across the board. However, the situation in the districts is different.
The specially set up work staff in the Episcopal Ordinariate encourages parishes and institutions to decide independently whether, for example, the service offered can be maintained. The recommendations of the authorities and the Robert Koch Institute should play a significant role in this. Current information on the services offered is available in the respective parishes.
Even if no services are celebrated, churches should be left as open as possible as places of prayer. For services, the hygiene rules for services (as of March 13, 2020) should be strictly observed.
Meetings that are not absolutely necessary should be postponed or canceled. First communion services and confirmations will not be canceled for the time being. In an emergency, however, the parishes are asked to draw up emergency plans and to search for possible replacement dates.
The letter expressly points out that this is a dynamic development and the recommendations and measures can be adapted accordingly.
In addition, it is called upon to include in the personal prayer all the sick and their relatives, the doctors and nursing staff as well as everyone who is responsible for the health and well-being of people.
For information update visit https://bistumlimburg.de/beitrag/coronavirus-im-bistum-limburg/ and https://www.domradio.de/gottesdienst
