Little Chapel officially reopened
CANDLES were lit at the Little Chapel for each of the 14 islanders who have died from Covid-19.
Over 800 candles will also be lit for Covid survivors in recognition of the long-term impacts it can have.
Dr Nick Paluch read a prayer to ease the suffering of those affected by Covid, to instead bring comfort, healing and hope to conquer the virus.
When formally blessing the altar, Dr Paluch said we remember those 14 lives lost here in Guernsey and asked for solace to be given to their loved ones.
Health & Social Care president Deputy Al Brouard was invited to represent the Civil Contingencies Authority at the event organised by The Little Chapel Foundation.
Deputy Brouard said: ‘It was really nice of the trustees to put up a memoir for those who unfortunately lost their lives because of Covid, and those who became ill and have since had their lives disrupted.
‘I feel very honoured to be asked to represent the CCA and government at this important memorial.’
Flowers will be installed around the chapel tomorrow for Easter with islanders invited to spend a moment of reflection in the chapel.
Works to improve accessibility have been paused temporarily, but are intended to re-commence as soon as possible.
Jack Honeybill, Foundation fundraising manager, said the completion of the work is a top priority to ensure that people living with disability or mobility issues can access the chapel.
‘Unfortunately because in the past two years the cruise ships have been cancelled, the Little Chapel has suffered tremendously. We have submitted a planning permission application which has not yet been formally received, and then we can undertake improvements to make the path disability and elderly friendly.’
Significant improvements and vital maintenance work has already been carried out, but it is a never ending task which reveals further pitfalls as work progresses. Norman Hare, Foundation restoration project manager, said the chapel is a place of quiet and reflection for all the people of Guernsey, and so it was apt for the memorial candles to be placed there.
