A NEWRY-based priest has taken the unusual step of suspending a long-standing Mass tradition in an attempt to prevent the spread of swine flu.
Mass-goers at the Domincan Chapel in Newry were told on Sunday morning that the Sign of Peace ritual - where parishioners shake each other’s hands - was being suspended due to current health fears.
Domincan prior Fr Gerard Fearon, who announced the suspension, said it was a precautionary measure introduced in light of the current outbreak of swine flu.
“Basically it was in response to an anonymous letter from a parishioner who disagreed with the Sign of Peace altogether,” he said.
“I just thought we would suspend it for a while in the context that scientists are saying that we should be protecting ourselves against swine flu and how it is important to have clean hands.
“I TOLD parishioners that it would be back again once the health authorities have given absolute clearance. It was just something to laugh at more than anything – I wouldn’t take it too seriously.”
Fr Fearon said the Sign of Peace will also be suspended at Domincan services this weekend. However, one mass-goer told the Democrat: “What are they going to do next? Put Holy Communion in little individual plastic bags and hand them out?”
Currently only one case of swine flu is under investigation in Northern Ireland. However, there have yet to be any confirmed cases of the respiratory disease, which can be spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
If you cough or sneeze into your hand, the germs can then spread from the hand onto a hard surface, which, if touched by another person, can enter into their system and they too can become infected.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that while no cases have been detected in the North, people mustn’t become complacent.
“Our main message to the public is not to be alarmed about recent developments, but to be prepared for a potential pandemic,” he said.
“So far we have no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland but that doesn’t mean we should become complacent.
“People can take simple but effective measures to protect themselves by covering their noses and mouths when they sneeze and cough and then put their tissue in a bin and wash their hands.”
The NI helpline - 0800 0514 142 – is available to anyone who has been to an affected country such as Mexico and has flu-like symptoms.