Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Protocols to be followed in the event of an Avian Influenza Epidemic in New Zealand from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference
http://www.catholic.org.nz/resources/Avian Flu.pdf
1.4 Care in the Community
Due to the high rates of infection possible during pandemic influenza, all except the seriously ill may need to be cared for at home.
1.5 Care of the Deceased
The standard planning model assumes about 33,000 deaths over an 8-week pandemic wave, with a peak of around 10,000 in the peak week. For context, New Zealand averages about 550 deaths per week in normal times. Clearly normal services will be unable to manage the numbers involved, and special arrangements will be necessary for the storage, management and eventual disposal of the deceased.
4. NOTE ON FUNERALS
4.1 Funerals
There have been some reports in the media indicating that those who have died will be buried in mass graves.
The Funeral Directors? Association of New Zealand in a press release dated 10 January 2006 states: ?Responding to the issues reported in the weekend the Funeral Directors? Association advised that mass graves are not even being considered. As with any death at any time funeral directors will transfer death victims, including from prisons, for burial and treat them with personal dignity and respect. They will be buried in individual graves in local cemeteries.?
4
The implication here is that the deceased will be buried in the closest cemetery. This may not necessarily be the family?s preferred choice of cemetery.
4.2 Re-interment
Once the emergency is over (CODE GREEN) it may be that some families may wish to
have their deceased exhumed and re-interred in a cemetery of their choice.
6. ACTIONS FOR THE CHURCH TO TAKE IMMEDIATELY
6.1 Hygiene
National Liturgy Commission to prepare for distribution signs for all ministers showing
good hand-washing procedures.
6.1.1 the diagram on hand washing procedures published in the December 2005 issue
of ?Liturgy? will be adopted and distributed nation wide. This diagram is attached
and we suggest that you display it prominently in the sacristy.
6.2 The chalice and communion bowl
Research has shown that metal chalices are less likely to contribute to the spread of diseases.
6.2.1 only chalices and communion bowls made of precious metal be used for the distribution of Holy Communion;
6.3 Hygiene regarding hygiene and the chalice
6.3.1 procedures be published for the proper cleaning of the chalice after each
communicant;
6.3.2 that purificators be changed after each Mass;
6.4 Hygiene of the sacred vessels
6.4.1 the sacred vessels be washed in hot soapy water after each Mass and be dried
with disposable paper towels;
6.4.2 that the purificator be washed in hot soapy water and be allowed to dry if possible in the sun (apparently this is more hygienic.);
6.5 Catechesis on the Sunday Obligation in times of Emergency
Once CODE RED is activated, all public celebrations of the liturgy will cease.
6.5.1 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference will distribute a letter explaining the Sunday Obligation in times of Emergency and the need more than ever to keep holy the Lord?s Day;
6.5.2 this letter will be printed and distributed in advance and be released once CODE YELLOW has been activated.
6.6 Code Red: Letter from the NZCBC
Once CODE RED is activated, all public celebrations of the liturgy will cease.
There will undoubtedly be a level of fear, confusion and uncertainty.
6.6.1 the President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference will distribute a
letter:
*declaring that CODE RED is activated;
*stating that all public worship is to cease;
*stating that priests will remember the dead at a private Mass each day;
*stating that where possible and if permission is granted from the Ministry of
Health a priest will accompany bodies to the cemetery and pray the Commendation of the Dead;
*stating that where possible the Sacrament of Anointing will still be available to
those who are seriously sick or dying.
6.6.2 this letter will be printed and distributed in advance and be released at the
appropriate time during CODE YELLOW period.
6.7 Priests Availability to offer Commendation of the Dead
During CODE RED it may be that the Ministry of Health will allow priests to offer prayers at the grave.
6.7.1 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference will enquire from the Ministry of
Health about the possibility of priests being given permission to offer prayers at
the graveside.
6.9 Resources for liturgies in the home
Once CODE RED is activated, all public celebrations of the liturgy will cease.
However the need to pray and to keep holy the Lord?s Day will take on a whole new importance during a time of emergency.
6.9.1 a simple liturgy for Sunday will be prepared, printed in advance and distributed to all parishes;
6.9.2 a simple liturgy for praying with the sick and dying will be prepared, printed in
advance and distributed to parishes;
6.9.3 a simple liturgy for praying for those who have died will be prepared, printed in advance and distributed to parishes;
6.9.4 these liturgies will be released once the CODE YELLOW has been activated;
6.9.5 these liturgies will be available via the following websites: www.nlc.org.nz
www.cathcom.org.nz www.catholic.org.nz
Approved the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference
May 2006
http://www.catholic.org.nz/resources/Avian Flu.pdf
1.4 Care in the Community
Due to the high rates of infection possible during pandemic influenza, all except the seriously ill may need to be cared for at home.
1.5 Care of the Deceased
The standard planning model assumes about 33,000 deaths over an 8-week pandemic wave, with a peak of around 10,000 in the peak week. For context, New Zealand averages about 550 deaths per week in normal times. Clearly normal services will be unable to manage the numbers involved, and special arrangements will be necessary for the storage, management and eventual disposal of the deceased.
4. NOTE ON FUNERALS
4.1 Funerals
There have been some reports in the media indicating that those who have died will be buried in mass graves.
The Funeral Directors? Association of New Zealand in a press release dated 10 January 2006 states: ?Responding to the issues reported in the weekend the Funeral Directors? Association advised that mass graves are not even being considered. As with any death at any time funeral directors will transfer death victims, including from prisons, for burial and treat them with personal dignity and respect. They will be buried in individual graves in local cemeteries.?
4
The implication here is that the deceased will be buried in the closest cemetery. This may not necessarily be the family?s preferred choice of cemetery.
4.2 Re-interment
Once the emergency is over (CODE GREEN) it may be that some families may wish to
have their deceased exhumed and re-interred in a cemetery of their choice.
6. ACTIONS FOR THE CHURCH TO TAKE IMMEDIATELY
6.1 Hygiene
National Liturgy Commission to prepare for distribution signs for all ministers showing
good hand-washing procedures.
6.1.1 the diagram on hand washing procedures published in the December 2005 issue
of ?Liturgy? will be adopted and distributed nation wide. This diagram is attached
and we suggest that you display it prominently in the sacristy.
6.2 The chalice and communion bowl
Research has shown that metal chalices are less likely to contribute to the spread of diseases.
6.2.1 only chalices and communion bowls made of precious metal be used for the distribution of Holy Communion;
6.3 Hygiene regarding hygiene and the chalice
6.3.1 procedures be published for the proper cleaning of the chalice after each
communicant;
6.3.2 that purificators be changed after each Mass;
6.4 Hygiene of the sacred vessels
6.4.1 the sacred vessels be washed in hot soapy water after each Mass and be dried
with disposable paper towels;
6.4.2 that the purificator be washed in hot soapy water and be allowed to dry if possible in the sun (apparently this is more hygienic.);
6.5 Catechesis on the Sunday Obligation in times of Emergency
Once CODE RED is activated, all public celebrations of the liturgy will cease.
6.5.1 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference will distribute a letter explaining the Sunday Obligation in times of Emergency and the need more than ever to keep holy the Lord?s Day;
6.5.2 this letter will be printed and distributed in advance and be released once CODE YELLOW has been activated.
6.6 Code Red: Letter from the NZCBC
Once CODE RED is activated, all public celebrations of the liturgy will cease.
There will undoubtedly be a level of fear, confusion and uncertainty.
6.6.1 the President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference will distribute a
letter:
*declaring that CODE RED is activated;
*stating that all public worship is to cease;
*stating that priests will remember the dead at a private Mass each day;
*stating that where possible and if permission is granted from the Ministry of
Health a priest will accompany bodies to the cemetery and pray the Commendation of the Dead;
*stating that where possible the Sacrament of Anointing will still be available to
those who are seriously sick or dying.
6.6.2 this letter will be printed and distributed in advance and be released at the
appropriate time during CODE YELLOW period.
6.7 Priests Availability to offer Commendation of the Dead
During CODE RED it may be that the Ministry of Health will allow priests to offer prayers at the grave.
6.7.1 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference will enquire from the Ministry of
Health about the possibility of priests being given permission to offer prayers at
the graveside.
6.9 Resources for liturgies in the home
Once CODE RED is activated, all public celebrations of the liturgy will cease.
However the need to pray and to keep holy the Lord?s Day will take on a whole new importance during a time of emergency.
6.9.1 a simple liturgy for Sunday will be prepared, printed in advance and distributed to all parishes;
6.9.2 a simple liturgy for praying with the sick and dying will be prepared, printed in
advance and distributed to parishes;
6.9.3 a simple liturgy for praying for those who have died will be prepared, printed in advance and distributed to parishes;
6.9.4 these liturgies will be released once the CODE YELLOW has been activated;
6.9.5 these liturgies will be available via the following websites: www.nlc.org.nz
www.cathcom.org.nz www.catholic.org.nz
Approved the New Zealand Catholic Bishops? Conference
May 2006