Covid-19: Belfast Cathedral launches online book of remembrance
An online book of commemorations was launched today (Thursday) by Belfast Cathedral for those who have died during the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic.
The virtual book is part of the Lives Reflected initiative.
It has been created to remember the lives, memories, sacrifices and efforts of everyone affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in the community.
Belfast Cathedral is inviting members of the public to pay tributes to their friends and loved ones, by uploading a photograph and writing a short message.
The Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde said it has been launched to inspire a positive message of love, hope and kindness and to celebrate life going forward.
He said: “This initiative is to help people celebrate the lives of those who are special, whether reflecting on lives lost in our communities since the start of the current pandemic, or giving thanks for the inspiration and dedication of those who have carried us through its darkest days.”
The Cathedral hopes that by collating tributes and stories of people all over Northern Ireland it will leave a continuous legacy of memories retold, which people will be able to treasure for years to come.
Dean Forde said all communities are invited to share an offering of hope to those who are in a place of grief.
He added: “Belfast Cathedral wants Lives Reflected to be a shared space where people can bring forward accounts that will help families and individuals on their journey through bereavement and towards personal healing
“Through all the restrictions of these past months, it has been so difficult to gather our memories and share our stories of those we have loved and known but lost.
“Lives Reflected allows us a place to share our memories and celebrate the best in the people we know.
“Lives Reflected can be a place of healing for our losses, and a promise of togetherness for the future.”
To accompany the launch St Anne’s Cathedral is providing a physical space for reflection inside the building, in which people can see their online tribute realized on a digital display and light a candle for their loved one.
Mr Forde sees the visual display as an opportunity for members of the public to visit Belfast Cathedral as a place to reflect on the challenges, sacrifices and loses that we have all experienced in 2020.
This website launch is the first stage of the initiative.
The progression of the next phase of the campaign will be based on the uptake of messages shared on Lives Reflected.
Selected entries will then be chosen to feature on permanent panels displayed inside Belfast Cathedral.
Followed by a call for artists to create a unique piece of work which will be unveiled on March 23, 2021 marking the anniversary of Northern Ireland going into lockdown.
Lives Reflected is available on www.livesreflected.com to make a dedication.