From Father Cavan McElligott

26 August 2009

The following guidance is provided by Father Cavan McElligott, the Clifton Diocese Hospital Chaplaincy Coordinator, and is for priests, deacons and anyone using oils.

Measures to be taken to help prevent the spread of swine flu in our parishes, schools and places of work are, for the most part, being effectively implemented around the diocese. These measures have not always been easy to apply. Some people can be resistant to any sort of changes or alteration to routine or simply fail to see the need, regarding the whole thing as an ‘over reaction’.  Nonetheless, if the spread of this disease, which remains at ‘Pandemic Status’, is to be contained, then every locale where groups of people gather together is obliged to follow government health guidelines.
 
Recently, the Chaplaincy Division of the NHS reminded priests, deacons and those who use Holy Oils, Sacramental and other forms, that the application of such oils is to be performed with the greatest of care. This is particularly the important when dealing with patients, in or outside of hospitals, who are known to have infectious diseases.
 
Containers for Holy Oils must be regularly cleansed and sterilised, immediately so following use with an infected patient. All residual oil is to be removed from the container and, along with cotton wool buds and rubber gloves, burned.
 
In more serious cases in hospitals, seriously infected oil, plastic oil containers (sterile, 30ml screw top bottles available from pharmacies) cotton wool buds, masks, over shoes and hats are to be placed in appropriate bags, which are available on the wards, and sent for incineration. Gowns, tunics and trousers are to be placed in the appropriately marked laundry bags and are to be sent for specialised treatment.
 
Hospital staff are trained to be sensitive to the requirements of churches and faith groups, and are usually, more than willing to be helpful in the respectful disposing of items used in religious ceremonies.
 
That swine flu hasn’t spread more than it has is, in some part, due to the high levels of care people are taking. Offices, factories, catering facilities, restaurants, food providers and most other places of employment or sales outlets are all taking measures, in one form or another, to combat the spread of swine flu. It is in no ones interest to pretend that it will all just go away if we ignore it. Everyone is asked to be pro-active in this matter - what ever the ‘inconvenience’ to routine and preference. 

Let us continue to lead the way and play our part in the prevention of swine flu and the pandemic getting any worse.

Father Cavan McElligott