Omicron - Bishop postpones Installation Service as precaution | The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

Omicron – Bishop postpones Installation Service as precaution

Monday December 20th 2021

In light of a predicted peak in the number of Omicron cases in Northern Ireland in mid-January, the Bishop of Connor has decided to postpone his Service of Installation in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

This was due to have been held on January 9. The Rt Rev George Davison said a new date would be arranged when it was safe to proceed.

The service was to have been by invitation only. In a message to all guests, Bishop George said: “Having reflected on information received from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer by representatives of faith groups last Friday and considered the advisability of gathering a significant number of people from across Co Antrim in January, I have decided to postpone the Service of Installation planned for St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on the afternoon of January 9 2022.

In a letter to clergy in Connor Diocese, Bishop George said that there was no suggestion at this stage that Christmas services in local parishes should not go ahead.

However, he said non-essential meetings and gatherings should be delayed, and advised clergy and parishioners to continue to carefully follow established mitigations to stop the spread of Covid-19.