Churches reopening

As our parishes prepare to reopen for public worship this Sunday, the Canon Chancellor of Holy Trinity Brussels, Paul Vrolijk (who also sits on the Central Committee) recorded this video to explain the new protocols and how they will be experienced by people coming to worship there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLtfYEdXfnE

Also, the Anglican clergy of Belgium (both Church of England and Episcopal) met by Zoom on 11th June to fine-tune the arrangements for Sunday worship. It is with great excitement that we approach this major step on the road to the end of the pandemic.

Anglican churches begin to re-open after lockdown

Following the issuing of this Ministerial Decree by Pieter De Crem, our Minister of the Interior, Anglican churches in Belgium are authorised from today to organise public worship. This must follow the Anglican protocol approved by the Group of Experts for an Exit Strategy (the French and Dutch versions are here). Each of our parishes has submitted its own protocol to show how its worship will accord with the national protocol. Our prison chaplains may also resume work inside the prisons from today. Letters from the Central Committee to the parishes and to our prison chaplains are here. We rejoice that the sacrifices made by the Belgian people have led us to the point where the lockdown can begin to be lifted, and we re-commit ourselves to the nation in worship, community, service and learning.

The Canon Theologians address the Diocesan Chapter

The Diocese in Europe has two Canon Theologians, appointed by Bishop Robert to pay special attention to theological reflection in the diocese. They are Robin Gill in Gibraltar (http://eurobishop.blogspot.com/2012/11/professor-robin-gill-installed-as-canon.html) and the Chaplain-President in Brussels (https://www.fptr.be/nl/page_docenten_111.aspx). This year's gathering of the canons of the diocese, which would normally occur during the annual Diocesan Synod in Cologne, happened on 28th May by Zoom, with Paul Vrolijk and John Wilkinson from Holy Trinity Brussels also present. Robin Gill presented a theological response to the current pandemic, which may be read at the top of the Diocese in Europe's "Exploring Faith in Europe" blog here: https://faithineurope.net/ The Chaplain-President's response to Robin Gill is here:

The Central Committee supports the Panathlon Sport Consilium

On 26th May, the Chaplain-President recorded a message of support (strictly observing social distancing) for a new initiative by the Panathlon, the national organisation which works towards ethics and fair play in sport (Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles may be found here: http://www.panathlon.be/ Panathlon Vlaanderen here: https://panathlonvlaanderen.be/). Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles has set up Sport Consilium, a group of interconvictional experts (including the Chaplain-President) dedicated to giving advice on widening participation in sport to include people of all faiths and none. 

Central Committee submits Protocol for resumption of Anglican worship

The Central Committee submitted to the Minister of Justice today its national Protocol with a view to the resumption of services in Anglican churches in Belgium. This was the fruit of an extensive collaboration between Bishop Robert (Church of England), Bishop Mark (Episcopal Church) and the Central Committee. In addition to the national Protocol, the Central Committee has asked all Anglican parishes in Belgium to submit at their earliest convenience detailed parish protocols explaining how they will organise worship in the context of a country slowly emerging from the Covid-19 emergency measures. You can read the national Anglican Protocol in French here and in Dutch here.

Funerals in Anglican churches in Belgium are now again permitted with an attendance of up to 30 appropriately-spaced people.

Weddings and worship services are not yet permitted in Anglican churches. We look forward to recommencing these ministries as soon as the pandemic emergency subsides.

Religious representatives meet with Minister Somers

On Wednesday 20th May, the representatives of the recognised religions in Belgium plus the Sikh and Buddhist communities met with Mr Bart Somers, Flemish Minister for Social Cohesion (Samen Leven), at his offices in Brussels. The Secretary of the Central Committee attended on behalf of the Anglicans. Also present, was a representative from the cabinet of Mr Koen Geens, Federal Minister of Justice. Topic of the day: the reopening of places of worship. Both minister are very supportive that this should happen in the near future. Each community put forward their wishes and concerns, and the minister was very sympathetic to offer any practical and legal help where possible. Each faith community has put together a general protocol for the restart, and each local congregation will have a protocol in place for their specific circumstances. The National Security Council will hopefuly decide and communicate this week or next week.

The Presidents of the Recognised Religions meet with the Minister of Justice and GEES

On 11th May, the Chaplain-President participated in another meeting of the Recognised Religions and the Minister of Justice, this time with two members of the GEES (the Federal government's group of experts for the exit strategy) present to advise, the virologist Professor Marc Van Ranst and the legal expert Ms Inge Bernaerts. The discussion centred on the detail of lifting the current lockdown in synagogues, churches and mosques. Practical information will be passed to the parishes as soon as the Central Committee is in a position to do this.

Presidents of the Recognised Religions meet to discuss the lifting of the lockdown

The Chaplain-President participated today in a meeting in Brussels of the presidents of the recognised religions to agree common policies across all the faiths on the timing and the practical details of lifting the current lockdown in churches, synagogues and mosques. The presidents will present their common findings to the Minister of Justice on Monday 11th May.

The presidents of the recognised religions meet with the Minister of Justice

The Chaplain-President participated in a meeting on 4th May with the other presidents of the recognised religions at the offices of Prof Koen Geens, our Minister of Justice. On the agenda was the process whereby churches, synagogues and mosques will manage the lifting of the emergency measures imposed by the National Security Council during the Covid-19 pandemic. Two further meetings are scheduled in the next few days to press ahead with this matter, and the Central Committee will be in touch with the parishes as soon as concrete measures have been agreed.

Study day for English students on the Anglican Church in Belgium

We have warm relations with several English theological colleges: most of our ordinands train at the Eastern Region Ministry Course (https://www.ermc.cam.ac.uk/) and we host an annual mission study course for ordinands from Cranmer Hall Durham (https://community.dur.ac.uk/cranmer.hall/). For a few years, St Augustine's College of Theology (https://staugustinescollege.ac.uk/) have visited St John's Gent to explore the life and ministry of the Anglican parishes in Belgium. Because of the pandemic, this year's visit occurred on 2nd May by Zoom, with the Chaplain-President and Vice-President speaking on how Anglican parishes are organised in Belgium. We promised to welcome the students in person as soon as this is possible.

Canon theologians meet

The Chaplain-President is also Canon Theologian at Holy Trinity Brussels. Each Anglican cathedral normally has a staff-member responsible for education (called a canon theologian, canon librarian, canon chancellor or canon for education depending on the diocese). The Diocese in Europe has two: Jack McDonald in Brussels and Robin Gill in Gibraltar. The canon theologians typically meet for a conference once each year. Because of the pandemic, their last meeting, on 30th April, originally scheduled for St Paul's Cathedral in London, took place by Zoom. The main topic was the pandemic and how cathedrals can best respond to it creatively when their doors must be locked. The canon theologians are planning to meet in person next year. The picture shows the canon theologians at their meeting in Brussels in 2017, hosted by Holy Trinity.

Emouna Belgique on the Radio

Father Dominique Janthial, on the Collège des fondateurs of Emouna Belgique, has given a long interview to RCF Radio Belgique on the origins and progress seen this year on the interfaith course. The podcast is here:

https://rcf.fr/spiritualite/temoins-de-la-foi/emouna-l-amphi-des-religions

The Chaplain-President also sits on the Collège des fondateurs, and there are two Anglican students on the course this year: Eric Sibomana (one of our prison chaplains) and Rozemarijn Vanwijnsberghe from Holy Trinity Brussels. Emouna Belgique will continue in 2020-2021 and the hope is to set up an Emoena België course in Flanders from autumn 2021.

Bread and Hope

In September 2019 after several months of discussion and exploration, Holy Trinity Brussels started a Community Kitchen project. The aim of this project was to bring people together -- from the church community and beyond -- to cook together, to share fellowship, and to help others. The food cooked was donated to other NGOs supporting people in need across Brussels. The number of volunteers and hours the project ran for and the number of meals slowly increased as autumn rolled into winter. 
And then the virus came. 
The decision was taken to keep the Community Kitchen running, reducing the number of volunteers present, distributing production, and maintaining the high levels of hygiene for this time. And the call went out for people to help. First, it was 300 muffins to be distributed as a healthy breakfast. That call was met, so it was increased. Finally, there was a call for 900 muffins, but 1400 came in! At this time, the Community Kitchen was asked to supply 400 meals for refugees. Dozens of quiches, hundreds of hard-boiled eggs, and more muffins came in. 
During the drop-off time, I met a man who was apparently at Holy Trinity for the first time. He asked, “Is this Holy Trinity? You’re helping people, right?” For me, this was an immensely hopeful statement. This is how we’re becoming known to people in Brussels at this time. Jesus is known in the breaking of bread, in the sharing of bread. 
There is something very much like the ancient faith that the Romans so demeaned being practised again. As long as that is happening, as long as the love of Christ is being shared in tangible ways, I’m reminded to hope. I will hope. The world is changing and suffering, but Christ’s body, the Church, is still reaching out in faith, in love, and in hope. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, as we wait and hope. And bake muffins.

Jeremy Heuslein

Extension of Covid-19 Emergency Measures

The National Security Council met on 24th April to determine how Belgium would emerge from the current pandemic lockdown.

The decisions of the National Security Council are here: Dutch: https://www.belgium.be/nl/nieuws/2020/coronavirus French: https://www.belgium.be/fr/actualites/2020/coronavirus English: https://www.belgium.be/en/news/2020/coronavirus . The press conference (NL and FR) chaired by Prime Minister Wilmès after the National Security Council may be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na-u_7X2f7E&feature=youtu.be (the actual press conference begins at 1:29:10)

The Recognised Religions are seeking clarification on the precise way that churches, synagogues, mosques and meeting-houses will be affected by these decisions, whilst recognising that the timetable for lifting of the lockdown may be altered following ongoing expert scientific advice.

Emouna Belgique continues!

On 22nd April, the Chaplain-President was delighted to participate in the Emouna Belgique course (https://emouna.be/) which met via Zoom to discuss the question of "La violence et la non-violence". Father Dominique Janthial (Catholic chaplain at UCLouvain) spoke on the theories of René Girard on mimetic violence and scapegoating, and Mr Carlo Luyckx (president of the Union Bouddhique Belge) replied by speaking on Buddhist theories of non-violence.

Meeting of the Central Committee

On 21st April, the Central Committee met by Zoom to discuss matters pertinent to the Anglican Church. With the limits justifiably set by the National Security Council, the Central Committee, the parishes and the prison chaplains continue to work with faith and determination during the pandemic. We rejoice that in the wider Anglican world in the Diocese in Europe and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, this pattern is being repeated throughout Europe.

The photo below is from the Chrism Eucharist in 2017.

Online worship and fellowship in times of Corona

Throughout Belgium, clergy and volunteers have been working tirelessly to provide our parishes with online services and activities, like drop in chats, community coffee space, and quiz nights. They had to learn new technical skills, like recording and editing, and familiarise themselves with the possiblities on social media, but the results have been creative and wonderful. All recording and live streaming is happening according to the measures stipulated by the governement on physical distancing and hygiene.

The photo below comes from the Palm Sunday service (5th April) at Holy Trinity Brussels, led by Heather Roy, a Reader in the Church of England.

Covid-19: Emergency Measures Extended

The National Security Council met today on 15th April and decided that the measures in place to stem the spread of the Coronavirus will be extended until 3rd May. A new meeting has been planned for next week to re-evaluate the situation. Below is the text of the email which was sent out to all Anglican parishes in Belgium.

Dear friends and colleagues,

The National Security Council met this afternoon in Brussels, chaired by Prime Minister Wilmès.

As expected, the National Security Council has extended the current emergency measures until (at least) 3rd May.

Whilst it will now be possible for DIY shops and garden centres in Belgium to open, from the point of view of our parishes the details of the emergency measures are unchanged and the contents of the Central Committee's letter of 2nd April must continue to apply in full until 3 May. A copy of that letter is enclosed.

Details of the decisions of the National Security Council are here:

French: https://www.rtbf.be/info/belgique/detail_le-confinement-prolonge-jusqu-au-3-mai-voici-les-nouvelles-mesures-pour-lutter-contre-le-coronavirus?id=10482568

Dutch: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/04/15/liveblog-15-april/

This remains a testing and trying time for all of us. We know that Bishop Robert and Bishop Mark are providing excellent pastoral and liturgical leadership. We will contact you again when there is a sign of the emergency measures being lifted. Meanwhile we continue to pray and to do our best to keep our ministries active and dynamic.

With very sincere best wishes, and mindful with resolute joy that Christ is risen,

Jack

on behalf of the Central Committee

Indisposition of Cardinal Jozef De Kesel

The Central Committee was distressed to learn today that Jozef, Cardinal De Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen and Brussels and a great friend to the Anglican Church in Belgium, has stepped back from his post whilst undergoing medical treatment unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic. We assure him of our prayers and deep best wishes. Here is the text in Dutch of the letter which the Chaplain-President sent him today.