Toolkit for parishes and Caritas Diocesan Agencies
We have received a note of guidance produced by Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) with the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) https://www.csan.org.uk/guidance/covid-19/
This was published with remarkable speed on April 23rd. In its eighteen pages it is impressive: both caring and comprehensively practical and supportive. Bishop Terence P Drainey, Chair of CSAN, provides a foreword on the context of the Covid-19 crisis and a Roman Catholic Church response to it. We think it is of general relevance for all Churches.
There are illustrative examples of initiatives:
- to combat isolation and loneliness,
- to support the vulnerable and self-isolated, and about
- foodbanks,
- volunteering,
- safeguarding,
- funding,
- communicating, including translation of national and international guidance, and
- dealing with deaths and bereavement.
Frequently asked questions are anticipated and answers provide, including:
- tools to help,
- long-term effects,
- discovering those in most need,
- supporting the isolated,
- being effective and long-lasting, and
- links to other useful resources
There are important sections on safety of volunteers, telephone befriending and a Community Response Service. There are, also, sample prayers which may be helpful in the various situations which the crisis is producing.
It is also possible to customize this toolkit to fit a particular area or community.
This response to a particular challenge complements another recent publication for CSAN: Reaching Out. Older people and Catholic Parishes. Making Memories Together https://www.csan.org.uk/embrace/
NB. A link to this News item was included in our recent Newsletter but, for reasons unknown, it does not connect to the CSAN site.
