The presidents of the Recognised Religions issue a communiqué on Covid-19

On Saturday 4 April, the presidents of the Recognised Religions in Belgium - the Catholic Church, the Protestant and Evangelical Churches, the Anglican Church, the Orthodox Church, Judaism and Islam - issued a communiqué arguing for social solidarity during the pandemic and looking forward to new ways of living together in society once the pandemic is past.

The text is here in Dutch.

The text is here in French.

Six of the seven chefs de culte can be seen on this photo: Cardinal De Kesel, Pastor Fuite, Dr Lorein, Mr Marckiewicz, Canon McDonald, Metropolitan Athenagoras. Our apologies to Mr Üstün, who was not present when this photo was taken.

Prime Minister addresses the nation about covid-19

On Sunday 5 April, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès addressed the nation concerning the coronavirus pandemic, explaining why, although the current emergency measures were seeing a reduction in infections, the country needs to continue with the current rules on business closure and social distancing:

Here is the video in French:

https://www.rtbf.be/info/belgique/detail_sophie-wilmes-s-adresse-aux-belges-il-y-aura-un-avant-et-un-apres-covid-19?id=10476167

Here is the video in Dutch:

https://www.hln.be/nieuws/binnenland/premier-wilmes-roept-in-toespraak-op-om-nog-even-vol-te-houden-en-de-maatregelen-te-respecteren~a88f3490/

Coronavirus - extension of emergency measures until at least 19 April

The current emergency measures in force in Belgium to impede the spread of Covid-19 have been extended by the National Security Council until at least 19 April, and the Central Committee is completely resolved to support the National Security Council in these measures.

Here is a letter to the parishes from the Central Committee:

Here is a letter to the Diocese in Europe from Bishops Robert and David, together with ideas for worship during the pandemic:

Flemish Interconfessional Dialogue comments on Covid-19

The Vlaamse Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog (the permanent dialogue between the Flemish Regional Government and the Recognised Religions and Humanism), of which the Anglican Church is a member, has issued a statement about the current coronavirus pandemic, urging social solidarity and compassion and urging the Flemish Government to pay particular attention to vulnerable groups. You can read the statement (in Dutch) here:

Ecumenical prayer for the world during the coronavirus pandemic

Pope Francis has invited all the Christians of the world to pray the Lord's Prayer together at noon on Wednesday 25 March, Lady Day, the feast of the Annunciation. Archbishop Justin accepted the invitation and the Chaplain-President was delighted to take part in prayer pre-recorded on-line to be broadcast on Belgian media. The denominations represented were Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Syriac and Greek Catholic and the languages used were Dutch, French, German, English, Aramaic, Arabic, Greek, Lithuanian, Lingala, Italian, Romanian and Latin. Covid-19 is a global problem which all countries and faiths must address in solidarity together.

Covid-19 measures: week 3

The Central Committee is getting used to working from home, as all face-to-face meetings are cancelled until further notice. Do not hesitate to contact us during the crisis on: secretary@anglican.be.

Here is a message from Bishop Robert (Church of England), who also brings the greetings of Bishop Mark (The Episcopal Church): https://zoom.us/rec/play/75ckJuirqjk3GNCSsgSDBaV5W9Xvev2s0ykbrPpbyh28UHELMFX1ZucWNOJPXlVIi0RKRGqp5fgU1Mh0?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=1JJDgtvyQkm5_P_D9oe1Sw.1584879622329.43dfcd2797f200d635c1780b0a72ca8a&_x_zm_rhtaid=137

Here are some spiritual resources for the current self-isolation:

Diocese in Europe: https://europe.anglican.org/main/latest-news/post/1555-coronavirus-prayer-reflection

Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe: http://ecf450cdbeb67edb7b8c-db8c75cfc72b416e3c18df97c8a1dcaa.r54.cf2.rackcdn.com/uploaded/c/0e10005896_1584799739_convocationcompanion.pdf

Life during Covid-19: A Message from the Area Dean

More stringent measures bordering on a full lockdown are in effect in Belgium from 18th March noon until 5th April, and during that period congregations are learning new ways to be the Church. We are passing on a message from The Revd Stephen Murray, Chaplain in Ghent and Area Dean for Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as Vice-President of the Central Committee.

“Dear all,

It has been amazing to see such an outpouring of effective and creative ministry across the Deanery. This is truly a moment for us to shine God's light in ways we've never done before.

In Luxembourg, they were able to worship in a park. Hopefully, there was liturgical hand-washing as part of the service?

Tervuren made a slick YouTube video worship.

Liège has seen their bible study numbers increase dramatically by using Zoom, and also posting worship on YouTube.

Gent posted a 'Choose-Your-Own-Bits' worship on a Facebook & YouTube playlist.

MTS Antwerpen has been findings ways to make contact with sailors without visiting on the ships.

Holy Trinity Brussels is offering regular pray on Zoom.

Every weekday morning at 9AM https://zoom.us/j/687886770

And every weekday evening at 9PM, for compline https://zoom.us/j/114667614

They will be using the "Time to Pray" app from the Church of England. Or, you could also use the Church of England's prayer page: https://www.churchofengland.org/…/join-us-service-daily-pra…

Once this disease is finally behind us, we should have a Learning Lab to discuss everything that we've learned and how we might apply that learning in the future.

There is a lot of confusing information going around, but I just want to say thanks to each of you for your ministry in this difficult time.

If there are any new developments we will try to keep you posted. Likewise, please do be in touch if there is anything you need.

Peace & blessings,

Stephen

(go wash your hands!)”

Coronavirus pandemic - temporary closure of Anglican churches in Belgium

The National Security Council met on 12 March 2020 and its decisions are reproduced here:

French: https://www.premier.be/fr/Coronavirus-Phase-2-maintenue-passage-en-phase-federale-et-mesures-additionnelles

Dutch: https://www.premier.be/nl/coronavirus-fase-2-gehandhaafd-overgang-naar-de-federale-fase-en-bijkomende-maatregelen

In response, the Central Committee met digitally this morning, in consultation with Bishop Robert (Church of England) and Bishop Mark (The Episcopal Church). It made the decision to suspend all public worship and parish activities in Anglican and Episcopal churches in Belgium from 14 March until 3 April. This decision was made for the public good as part of the ongoing national and global attempts to limit the ill effects of the coronavirus pandemic. We will post further news when we have further information.

The Central Committee's letter to Anglican parishes is here.

Here is a letter from Bishop Robert.

Coronavirus: Bishops' letter

The Chaplain-President reproduces here with total approval a letter from Bishop Robert and Bishop David which gives advice to the parishes about aspects of the conduct of public worship during the current outbreak of coronavirus.

VILD meeting

On 2 March, the Chaplain-President, Vice-President and Secretary attended a full meeting of the Vlaamse Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog (the official dialogue between the Flemish Government and the recognised faiths), hosted this time by the Protestants and Evangelicals. The main topics for discussion were the process for the official recognition of individual churches, synagogues, mosques and meeting-houses, and the summary of the formal statement on poverty in Flanders being prepared by the VILD for public distribution.

Research groups - FPTR Brussels

The Chaplain-President and the Secretary both attended the research group meeting at FPTR Brussel on 27 February. The Anglican Church in Belgium, with just 24 State stipends, is too small to make founding a separate Anglican theology faculty cost-effective, but we have excellent and close relations with the Catholic faculties in Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve and the Protestant faculties in Brussels and Heverlee.

Prisons chaplains in Belgium

Yesterday 26th February, the Secretary attended a meeting of the Advisory Commission with other representatives of the lifestances at the directorate-general of the penitentiary institutions. The status of prison chaplains changed in June 2019, and the practical implications and organisation of this change need to be discussed and put into practice. The next meeting is set for June 2020.

Dutch colonialism course at FPTR Brussel

The Chaplain-President is teaching a new bachelor's course at FPTR Brussel this semester, on Dutch colonialism and theology. The course examines the religious aspects of the Verenigde Oost-indische Compagnie and the painful relationship between Christian mission and European imperialism.

English Church Liège

Four of our parishes (Liège, Leuven, Ieper and Tervuren) are currently vacant, although we expect to announce the name of the new chaplain in Tervuren very soon. Liège has had a vacancy since the sad and untimely death last year of its beloved long-term chaplain, Paul Yiend. The Chaplain-President was delighted to lead the service there on Sunday 23 February. Ruth Nivelle, the parish lay-reader-in-training, preached the sermon.

Platforme interconvictionnelle/Interconvictioneel Platform

On Thursday 20 February, the Chaplain-President and the Secretary attended the Interconfessional Platform (the meetings of the heads of the recognised religions which organise public conferences) at the Catholic headquarters in Brussels to prepare for the next public conference organised by the recognised religions. Holy Trinity Brussels will host the next meeting of the platform on 2 June.

EMOUNA BE at Holy Trinity Brussels: Religion and Art

It was a great joy for the Chaplain-President and the Secretary to welcome the Emouna Belgique students at Holy Trinity Brussels on Wednesday 19 February for a study-day on "Religion et art". After a tour of the church by John Wilkinson, there were presentations by Marie-Elizabeth van Rijckevorsel, Mohamed Adiouane, Carlo Luyckx and Dalia de Macar on Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish theories of representation in art. The afternoon session was spent in a workshop led by Une Certaine Beauté in which the students painted multiple pictures in mixed-faith groups, amid some hilarity! The day was much appreciated by all.

EMOUNA BE board meeting

On 17 February, the Chaplain-President attended a meeting of the Collège des Fondateurs of Emouna Belgique at the Tibetan Temple in Brussels to discuss progress so far this year in the Emouna interfaith training course.

Ecumenical conference on Synodality

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, The Venerable Dr Paul Vrolijk, Archdeacon for Northwest Europe en Member of the Central Committee, joined his colleagues from other denominations to discuss the topic of Synodality in the Church. Please click on the link to read the article on the jesuits.eu website.

CAGO

Meanwhile, the Committee for Anglican Religious Education (Comité Anglicaans GodsdienstOnderwijs, CAGO) met in Holy Trinity Brussels to discuss topics like Safeguarding, the website, the inspector-advisor’s report, etc. The next meeting will be the AGM on 29th April.

Malines conversations

On 12 February, the Chaplain-President attended a meeting chaired by Cardinal Josef De Kesel at the Archbishop's Palace Mechelen of the group preparing the centenary celebrations of the Malines Conversations between the Catholic and Anglican Churches.