Sovereign Grand Master calls for Institution-wide efforts to help tackle coronavirus

The Sovereign Grand Master has called on members throughout the Royal Black Institution to establish networks to help their local communities deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Rev William Anderson is urging Sir Knights in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland, Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand to show leadership and get involved in efforts to bring comfort and support to those who are suffering, vulnerable or self-isolating during these unprecedented times.

He has emailed all Provincial and County Grand Masters, asking them to set up regular contacts with their District Chapters specifically for the purpose of discussing strategies for dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. The District Chapters will then establish a regular contact channel with all their local Preceptories. This will create a free-flowing chain of communication and manpower, ready to recognise and react promptly to calls for help.

“It is important in this current crisis that we are able to identify areas of need within local communities,” said Rev Anderson.

“Staying in contact with our members and their families by phone, Facebook or email is key to helping all of us cope with the pressure of home isolation.

“I also want Sir Knights to think about making contact with vulnerable people outside of their own family or friends. Knowing that someone cares enough to make a regular phone call could be a real lifeline to someone in self-isolation who has no relatives to assist them.

“Sir Knights should also be thinking about ways of providing practical support to those in need. I have already heard of local initiatives where hampers are being supplied to elderly members to help them through this serious time of crisis. Such efforts are very encouraging and display the Christian qualities of charity and love which one would expect from a member of our Institution at this time.”

As the scale of the crisis started to become apparent across the globe, the Sovereign Grand Master and senior officers of the Institution felt it was their duty to act responsibly, and moved quickly to assist government efforts to restrict the movement of people and reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

On March 16, a statement was issued, cancelling all meetings, events and services immediately until further notice, and throughout all Royal Black jurisdictions.

The statement called on Sir Knights “to be creative and inventive in responding to the challenges of this time in order to give leadership to our communities”.

“We would also commend our members to constantly bring this whole situation before God’s Throne of Grace in their private prayers,” added the statement.

Rev Anderson said the Christian message of hope was so important in these difficult and uncertain times.

“We also need to pray that God will provide for us all, especially remembering all those that work within our NHS, together with all the essential workers throughout our nation,” he said.

“And we should uplift in prayer those families that have been bereaved by the loss of a loved one, and pray that God will guide those working in medical research to develop a vaccine.

“These are precarious and dangerous times but I take great comfort from the Word of Almighty God in 2 Chronicles 7:14, ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’”

The Sovereign Grand Master appealed to any Sir Knight who falls ill or who requires assistance during self-isolation to get in touch with their Worshipful Master so help can be arranged.

And he urged all members of the Royal Black Institution to follow the advice and instructions of their government and health professionals.

“It is only by social distancing and self-isolation that together we can overcome this pandemic,” he said.