Churches can stay open during England’s third lockdown in a move welcomed by leaders as maintaining an ‘essential source of energy for the common good’.
All places of worship can remain open for individual prayer and communal worship, in a rare example of gatherings involving multiple households which are still allowed.
But religious leaders have urged people to take ‘tremendous care’ and advised those shielding to stay at home as the coronavirus pandemic intensifies.
And some vicars have criticised the Church of England for not taking a harder stance on closures, saying that it ‘doesn’t make sense’ for churches to stay open.
It comes after churches were closed during the first two lockdowns last year – but there has since been significant pressure on the Government to allow them to stay open, including from former prime minister Theresa May.
People wearing face masks attend Christmas Day mass last month at St Mary’s Church, Dublin
A hand sanitiser is pictured at the entrance to St Mary’s Church in Dublin last month
Members of the congregation wear face masks at Christmas Day mass in Dublin last month
Bryony Taylor, the rector of Barlborough and Clowne in Derbyshire, said: ‘I made the decision to close my buildings yesterday. Everyone was relieved. I had people on rotas feeling they ‘ought’ to come because we were open but who didn’t feel safe.’
Charlotte Gompertz, the vicar at Christ Church, Shelton and Oxon in Shropshire, tweeted: ‘Please Bishop Sarah (Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally). Once a nurse, always a nurse. Surely this doesn’t make sense?’
And Katie Thomas, a vicar at St James Malden in South London and the Bishop of Kingston’s advisor on women’s ministry, said: ‘Those who stay open at the climax of a pandemic – without any evidence on safety requirements for the new strain – are putting their parishioners, their cleaner, public transport employees and the NHS at risk.’
Reverend Carole Marsden, the minister of Shrewsbury United Reformed Church, added: ‘Please, please close buildings and let your clergy continue their wonderful and creative ministry safely. God is big enough, vast enough and compassionate enough to cope surely.’
According to Government guidance issued last night, places of worship can remain open for individual prayer and communal worship.
But rules say people should only meet their household or support bubble and not mingle with others outside these groups.
Reverend Carole Marsden is the minister of Shrewsbury United Reformed Church, Shropshire
Bryony Taylor is the rector of Barlborough and Clowne in Derbyshire
Charlotte Gompertz is the vicar at Christ Church, Shelton and Oxon in Shropshire
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as where one partner is seriously ill, and with strict limits on attendance – up to six people.
A maximum of 30 people can attend a funeral while wakes and other ceremonial events can continue in a group of up to six.
The Bishop of London, the Right Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, a former nurse who chairs the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, said the new measures ‘underline the severity of the situation for the country’.
She said: ‘The Government has chosen not to suspend public worship in England at this time and we will continue to follow the guidance and ensure that churches remain as safe as possible.
‘The Government guidance on the safe use of places of worship makes clear that those attending a place of worship must not mingle with anyone outside their household or support bubble.
‘However, some may feel that it is currently better not to attend in person, and there will be parishes which decide to offer only digital services for the time being.
‘Clergy who have concerns, and others who are shielding, should take particular care and stay at home.’
Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), said the new restrictions would be ‘a devastating blow to everybody’ and urged the Government to ‘provide more support to mitigate the social and economic impacts across society’.
He said some mosques in England had already ‘voluntarily suspended communal activities in recent weeks out of precaution’ and ‘many individuals are reassessing whether they will go to their mosque to pray’.
A few hours before the lockdown was announced on Monday, Folkestone Mosque in Kent said it was suspending prayers until further notice.
Balham Mosque and Tooting Islamic Centre in London are also closed for all prayers until further notice.
Mr Khan said the MCB called for ‘tremendous care for mosques choosing to remain open to public worship given the Alert Level 5 (highest level)’.
He added: ‘We urge mosques to reassess their safety measures given the new strain and higher risk, and further restrict age limits to protect elderly attendees, open windows to ensure good ventilation, and increase to two-metre social distancing.
‘If these or other additional safety measures are not deemed by mosque trustees as sufficient, our recommendation is for the mosque to suspend communal worship.’
Reverend Michael Smith is the rector of Winton, Moordown and Charminster in Bournemouth
Katie Thomas is a vicar at St James Malden in South London and the Bishop of Kingston’s advisor on women’s ministry
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said: ‘Most people will follow the advice and stay at home. However, we are pleased the Government recognises that people of faith are able to leave home to attend a place of worship for communal worship.
‘Gurdwaras play an important role in the spiritual well-being of the community but those managing gurdwaras must strike the right balance to ensure they remain safe for all those choosing to attend.’
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said: ‘The regular practice of our faith in God is a well-established source of both personal resilience and dedicated service to those in need. Such resilience and enduring service are vital in these difficult circumstances.
‘I am glad that no measures have been introduced that would obstruct or curtail this essential source of energy for the common good.
‘Catholic parishes will continue to serve the needs of their local community. In one parish, for example, the provision of food for the needy has increased by 400% since March last year.’
But Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, tweeted last night: ‘Anyone else struggling to understand the rationale for this communal worship exemption?
‘It really smacks of exceptionalism and religious privilege, particularly when compared to the other harsh restrictions introduced this evening. It also risks undermining the lockdown effort.’
In Scotland, from Friday, places of worship must close but can open to broadcast a service or conduct a funeral, wedding or civil partnership.