The Catholic Union has been told that the UK Covid-19 Inquiry “will investigate” the closing and reopening of places of worship during the pandemic.
Last month, the Catholic Union wrote to the Inquiry Chair, Baroness Hallett, calling for the impact of the pandemic on people of faith to be properly considered as part of the inquiry’s work.
In reply, the Inquiry’s Director of Research, Claire Demaret, has written to the Catholic Union to confirm that there will be “an examination of the closure and reopening of places of worship”.
A survey carried out by the Catholic Union into Covid and places of worship, found that almost 2 in 3 of responders reported physical or mental health problems as the result of churches being forced to close.
Over 90 percent of people said they wanted to see places of worship classed as essential services in any future pandemic and never forced to close again. Ms Demaret said that “these results will be considered by the Inquiry.”
Ms Demaret also said that: “The Inquiry will be publishing more information… in the coming months, including further information on how it will hear evidence from organisations representing places of worship.”
The Catholic Union will continue to monitor this carefully.