President of Catholic Union writes to Prime Minister over church service ban

Nov 2nd, 2020 (Updated Nov 3rd, 2020)

Sir Edward Leigh MP

Source: Catholic Union

The Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP, President of the Catholic Union of Great Britain has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressing concerns over the sudden announcement that weekly church services across the country will be banned from this Thursday as part of the government's new Covid-19 lockdown. The letter follows ......

Dear Prime Minister,

I know that these are difficult times and the burden of decision-making must be all the greater, but I felt I must write to you on a matter of paramount importance.

During the previous lockdown, Catholics - like many other people of faith in this country - had to go without the familiar pattern of prayer and worship which is central to our lives.

While this was extremely difficult for the Catholic laity, it was understood that we faced an unknown virus and the priority was to protect the NHS and saves lives. We now know significantly more about this virus and how to control it.

Since July, churches have made great efforts to introduce social distancing and ensure that public health requirements are met. Catholic parishes and thousands of individual volunteers have gone to great lengths and given up many hours to make churches safe. Some churches have only recently managed to reopen.

The announcement that communal worship is now to be forbidden again is particularly frustrating as we've seen no evidence that people meeting for church services are contributing to the spread of the virus in this country.

Anyone who has been to Mass recently will see that social distancing, cleansing, and masks are rigidly enforced. Why alienate a quiet, law-abiding part of the community?

It would be a great help if the Government would publish the evidence and scientific advice that led to the decision to close places of worship for services. If such evidence exists, I'm sure reasonable people will understand that restrictions - however regrettable - are understandable and necessary. Without such evidence, banning communal worship is a clearly disproportionate response.

Might I suggest a compromise? The Government could allow religious services as long as all those attending apply online beforehand. I know many churches are using these systems already.

As we continue the battle against this virus, it's vital the Government maintains public confidence in its measures. This must include proper consideration for the views and interests of the 4.5 million Catholics in this country, who have made great efforts to ensure public worship can take place safely.

Yours,

The Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP

President, Catholic Union of Great Britain

LINKS

Catholic Union of Great Britain - https://catholicunion.org.uk/

See a petition to Mr Johnson calling for churches to be open for Mass this winter:

www.change.org/p/uk-prime-minister-keep-the-churches-open-for-mass-and-public-worship-in-this-winter-s-lockdown-measures

......................................................................................................................................................

COMMENT

With regard to Sir Edward Leigh the Conservative MP who is President of The Catholic Union. I was interested to read of his support for retaining the celebration of the Mass during the new lockdown. A cause he obviously believes in and something he feels fulfils the ethos of the Catholic Union, namely:

To defend Catholic values in Parliament and public life, and act in the promotion of the common good.

However I also read that Sir Edward voted against the recent proposal in The House of Commons to extend free school meals for children in poverty during the school holidays.

I find his decision to vote against this proposal resoundingly fails to promote Catholic values and fails to act in promoting the common good. Sir Edward's interpretation of Catholic values seems to depend on what is convenient for him politically....hardly the act of a committed Christian. Certainly not the act of someone who is President of The Catholic Union.

Gordon Scott
Bournemouth
Dorset