Churches leaders preach caution as they prepare for return of Sunday services

Worshippers will be able to attend church once more from June 29, with a senior Presbyterian noting that it is around 100 days since congregations last held a normal Sunday service.
Parishioners at St Peter’s Cathedral in west Belfast pray under strict social distancing as churches in Northern Ireland have reopened today for individual prayer.
 
Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.Parishioners at St Peter’s Cathedral in west Belfast pray under strict social distancing as churches in Northern Ireland have reopened today for individual prayer.
 
Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
Parishioners at St Peter’s Cathedral in west Belfast pray under strict social distancing as churches in Northern Ireland have reopened today for individual prayer. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

The announcement was just one part of a package of relaxation measures announced by the Province’s political leadership yesterday.

The Presbyterian Church said that precautions will still stay in place, though there was little precise detail on what excatly this must involve.

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Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “We’re also announcing today our intention to permit the reopening of places of worship from the 29th of June.

“We’re working closely with the faith community to ensure this happens in the safest possible way.

“We’re also actively considering issues around funerals, weddings, christenings and other celebrations and will provide a further update on this as soon as possible.”

Trevor Gribben, clerk of the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, said he was “delighted” that an end was in sight for the lockdown as far as churches go.

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“Back in March it was with genuine sadness that we had to close our churches, one of the many unprecedented national restrictions put in place to keep us all safe,” he said.

“Nearly 100 days have passed since our congregations were last able to gather together for Sunday worship and other activities, and as we see more areas of community life gradually emerging from the worst impacts of Covid-19, this announcement will be appreciated across the denomination, and we give thanks for it.

“Meeting together with our brothers and sisters in Christ is central to Christian life and a primary expression of church as the family of God.

“While there has now been an announcement that church services can resume from June 29 – to be confirmed next Thursday – each of our congregations must think carefully and responsibly about the practical preparations necessary to facilitate this long awaited, and prayed for return.

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“Those decisions will be taken by the local minister and elders, dependent on local factors.

“The circumstances of each local church will be different and we are supporting our congregations to make the necessary decisions to enable gatherings to take place safely, by providing detailed guidance in preparation for reopening.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin said: “I expect that we will be beginning in a cautious way at first, and there will be a need for ongoing patience and careful monitoring of the situation”.

The Methodist Church said “local congregations are engaging in conversations as to how to open safely and in ways that continue to serve the needs of the local community”.