Coronavirus Information
Re-Opening of Churches
On 4 November 2020, Parliament passed into law The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020. These are in force from 5 November to 2 December 2020. As well as the Regulations, the Government has updated its Guidance for the safe use of places of worship to reflect current circumstances.We have produced a series of fact sheets (below) to help parish priests and administrators understand the current guidance.
The Regulations preclude gatherings for communal worship, including the celebration of Mass. However, it is important to stress that this does not represent a return to the previous lockdown earlier in the year. In the current Regulations, places of worship are permitted to remain open for certain purposes, and to attend a place of worship is listed as a reasonable excuse to leave home.
Clergy and parishioners are encouraged to read the Regulations and Guidance and make mature judgments about how best they are to be applied in particular contexts.
November Guidelines
General Update
Letter from Bishop Philip
to the Prime minister
Churches.. symbolise the Person of Jesus Christ, who comes to feed, to teach and to shepherd His flock. In a church,Christ imparts His Word and His Sacraments in order to renew people and to send them out on mission and service of others.