We have allowed priests to be implicitly categorized as “non-essential” workers. On one hand, while we strive to be exemplars of model-citizens on the other hand we are not exercising a “kiwi ingenuity, number 8 wire mentality” to delivery sacraments where feasible…
After two weeks in level 4, does this contrast seem unreasonable? We have all been part of queues of 50-200 people outside supermarkets, we have queued 20-50 long at Pharmacies and 10-long at Dairies, and filled up at petrol stations. The vets, laundromats, freighters, mail, and ag supplies are all open and exercising imagination to deliver their essential service.
We have all seen neighbors chatting (with appropriate distancing) from street to yard, perhaps you’re doing it also?
Have you not thought to yourself, “if we can queue like this for food and chat to the neighbours why can’t 3-4 or us queue for reconciliation in the park?”
Surely, a carefully thought out system of reconciliation or blessing would be less risky than queuing at the local Supermarket?

Yet in this context we are exhorted to, “…respond with unusual kindness, to go out of our way to be kind to those who are isolated, anxious, lonely, ill or suffering a bereavement… we are people called to mission. ”
We are already doing all that as laity aren’t we? In the spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity, justice and charity, of course we are. How about the clergy? Please consider demonstrating some imaginative “mission” to us.

It used to be asked “what did you do during the war?”
Very soon parishioners will be wondering, “what did my Bishop/parish priest/LPPC really do during the lock-down?”