Coronavirus: We need discussion on reopening churches, says pastor who recovered from Covid-19

Pastor Mark McClurg, of Newtownards Elim Church, was speaking after the Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots called for the reopening of churches as part of a gradual series of measures.

Mr Poots suggested church reopening as part of a “graduated” easing of the lockdown.

His calls have been backed by some church figures, such as Catholic priest Fr Paddy McCafferty of Corpus Christi parish, Ballymurphy who told BBC Radio Ulster that if reopening could be safely achieved “we should certainly look at every possible way of achieving that”.

But Mr McClurg, who is still recovering from the virus, has said he is not yet ready to push for churches to-open.

“Obviously, with everything there is social distancing,” he said.

“There’s a conversation that needs to be had – what needs to be in place, what needs to be happen, what factors need to be included – before churches can reopen.

“Before this all happened we, the Elim movement, followed strict government guidelines with no handshakes, no hugging. We followed strict NHS guidelines.

“We need to know right now what needs to be in place for churches to open. I am not pushing for churches to reopen, but I think it’s important that we have a conversation about this.”

He added: “What I’m really worried about right now is the mental health. I realise this is a pandemic – I was in ICU – but the mental health is affecting so many people.

“And churches don’t only offer spiritual help, we are concerned with everyone’s wellbeing.”