Billy Kennedy: Bizarre that people can go to off-licence but are barred from churches this Easter

Easter is upon us - the most important period in the Christian calendar - and while there is fearful apprehension about the train of events, there remains a sense of genuine hope that we will all get through this unprecedented viral pandemic sooner rather than later.
By Billy Kennedy
Published 11th Apr 2020, 08:00 BST
Bishop Donal McKeown.Bishop Donal McKeown.
Bishop Donal McKeown.

Coronavirus has created immense difficulties for congregations of all faiths on these shores and the spectre of church doors tightly closed both on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday is a situation completely unimaginable and totally unheard of in our modern society.

Yet, the story of Christ’s Resurrection several thousand years ago continues to totally resonate in the hearts and minds of those who unashamedly profess to be Christians.

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In various ways, most notably in the usage of modern technology, the Easter message will be directly conveyed to thousands of worshippers in their homes across our land.

Unfortunately, many folk may miss out on receiving a technological response in church witness and, on this, congregations and pastors have a duty to ensure that the void is filled and that the coming days will not pass without some scriptural input for those separated from their normal pew on a Sunday.

This week, I was struck by a response from the Roman Catholic bishop of Derry Rev Dr Donal McKeown, who felt that churches should be allowed to re-open as places of private prayer and solace.

Dr McKeown, who had a private conversation with First Minister Arlene Foster, quite rightly said he believed “access to churches for prayer was at least as important as access to an off-licence”.

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Many of our churches within the main denominations in Northern Ireland are huge buildings (especially cathedrals) with a lot of space and surely consideration could be made for the organisation of relayed prayer and solace gatherings at these locations, operating, of course, within the strict confines of social distancing.

Bizarrely, it is incompatible that folk can legally be permitted to walk into off-licence premises, while worshippers are prevented from stepping across the door of their churches - on the most important weekend in the Christian calendar.

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Related topics:Arlene FosterNorthern Ireland