The Church and COVID-19 This page is being regularly updated with information relevant to government and Church announcements related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 22 announced several new measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those measures included restricting, from midday local time on Monday, March 23, a number of buildings and services from taking place. Among the facilities restricted from opening were places of worship, with religious gatherings -- whether indoors or outdoors -- also restricted. The advice allowed for funerals to be held in enclosed spaced with very small groups and where the one person per 4 square metres rule applies. It was accompanied by advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. State and territory governments are issuing directives and guidance to support the operation and enforcement of the restrictions. Those restrictions may differ from one jurisdiction to another. Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia The latest diocesan guidelines, pastoral letters and messages are listed below, most of which now reflect the new restrictions which came into force on the 23rd of March. These will be kept updated as soon as possible as Bishops continue to communicate with their people. Diocesan updates Archdiocese of Adelaide Letter from Bishop Greg O'Kelly SJ Video message from Bishop Greg O'Kelly SJ Archdiocese of Brisbane Masses on Demand and live webcasts Letter from Archbishop Mark Coleridge Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn Letter from Archbishop Christopher Prowse Updated Archdiocesan Protocols (March 23) Archdiocese of Hobart Letter of Archbishop Julian Porteous Archdiocese of Melbourne Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Peter A Comensoli Guidance for Parishes Letter from Catholic Bishops of Victoria Archdiocese of Perth Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB Archdiocese of Sydney Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP (March 30, 2020) Coronavirus Updates Diocese of Armidale Pastoral Letter from Bishop Michael Kennedy Diocese of Ballarat Letter from Bishop Paul Bird CSSR Letter from Catholic Bishops of Victoria Diocese of Bathurst Note on the Cancellation of Masses Pastoral Letter from Bishop Michael McKenna Diocese of Broken Bay Letter to the Clergy and People of God from Bishop Anthony Randazzo Diocese of Broome Memorandum re: Suspension of Masses Diocese of Bunbury Letter from Bishop Gerard Holohan Diocese of Cairns Pastoral Letter from Bishop James Foley Diocese of Darwin Pastoral Letter from Bishop Charles Gauci Diocese of Geraldton Statement of Bishop Michael Morrissey Diocese of Lismore Letter Ad Clerum from Bishop Gregory Homeming OCD Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Pastoral Letter from Bishop Bill Wright Diocese of Parramatta Coronavirus update page Advice to clergy and parishes from Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv Diocese of Port Pirie Letter from Bishop Greg O'Kelly SJ Video message from Bishop Greg O'Kelly SJ Diocese of Rockhampton Pastoral Letter from Bishop Michael McCarthy Diocese of Sale Guidance for liturgy and pastoral care Letter from Catholic Bishops of Victoria Diocese of Sandhurst Letter from Catholic Bishops of Victoria Diocese of Toowoomba Pastoral Letter from Bishop Robert McGuckin Diocese of Townsville Pastoral Letter from Bishop Tim Harris Diocese of Wagga Wagga Message from Archbishop Christopher Prowse Updated Diocesan Protocols (March 23) Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes Pastoral Directive from Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green OSPPE Video message from Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green OSPPE Diocese of Wollongong Pastoral Statement from Bishop Brian Mascord Parish Directives %MCEPASTEBIN%