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Leaders of Christian religions in Northern Ireland have expressed concern that churches will close there for two weeks starting November 27.
The moderator of the Presbyterian Church has described the suspension of public worship as a cause of “great regret and concern.”
In a statement, the Rev. Dr. David Bruce said the Presbyterian Church continued to make representations on public worship to the Northern Ireland Executive in Belfast and to the Irish Government in Dublin.
“We have been reminding legislators of the importance of balancing our essential freedom of worship with the need to protect the community and people’s livelihoods from the devastating effects of this serious pandemic, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, Eamon Martin, has requested “urgent clarification” whether churches can open for individual visitation and private prayer.
“I cannot understand how a person can go to a place without a license to buy alcohol, but he is not allowed to visit and sit in quiet and lonely prayer in a large church. The right to do this is particularly important for Catholics,” he said . .
Archbishop Martin noted that the restrictions coincide with the beginning of the Advent holy season.
He has urged the Executive to accept that for many people a ‘meaningful Christmas’ is more than shopping, eating and drinking and that spiritual preparation is essential.
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