STATEMENT FROM THE ROYAL BLACK INSTITUTION

Given the World Health Organisation and Government actions in response to reduce the risk of spreading Coronavirus, the Senior Officers and Central Committee of the Royal Black Institution are concerned that we as an Institution play our part in working to prevent such a spread of this virus amongst our members and throughout our communities. While the advice is constantly being updated in response to the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus, our Institution must act responsibly.

We therefore strongly advise that all meetings, events and services being organised by the Royal Black Institution throughout all our jurisdictions be cancelled immediately until further notice.

We acknowledge that there will be those at levels throughout our Institution who will be extremely disappointed following the cancellation of long-planned occasions and events of celebration. However, we know that many of our members will 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.

Our office in Loughgall will remain open, and contact should be by email, phone or post. However, that will be constantly under review and we would therefore request forbearance from our membership as we all try to come to terms with the potential spread of this virus.

Further information will follow in due course.

ENDS