Anglicans are offering their own plan for Birdflu

The Anglican Diocese of Wellington has chosen not to rely on God's will in the event of a bird flu pandemic.

The Bishop of Wellington, the Rt Rev Dr Tom Brown, said the church now had a procedure which would provide pastoral care in the event of a bird flu outbreak.

"It's a matter of not panicking but being prepared as others are for the people to know what to do."

The plan, which has been sent to parishes from Wellington to Wanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa, was intended to complement preparations made by government agencies.

The plan includes quality communication, having emergency packs and rations available, parish-based pastoral care and if necessary, funeral and memorial service advice and planning, the bishop said. The initiative had been offered to the rest of the Anglican church throughout New Zealand and Polynesia.

There had even been an inquiry from Canada, the bishop said.

- NZPA