The Catholic Union has called on the Government to rule out the use of Covid passports for churches and other places of worship. The Government has said it intends to make certification mandatory for access to certain “crowded” places later this year, but details of the proposals are yet to be confirmed. Faiths […]
Category: Covid-19
Catholic Union welcomes lifting of “arbitrary” cap on Mass attendance in Scotland
The Catholic Union has welcomed the decision by the Scottish Government to remove the cap on the number of people allowed to attend religious services in Scotland. Churches in Scotland were able to reopen for public worship on 26 March, having been closed since the beginning of the year, but a maximum of 50 […]
Catholic Union calls for clarity on Scottish church openings
The Catholic Union has called for churches across Scotland to be open in time for Easter. In a letter to Nicola Sturgeon, Catholic Union President Sir Edward Leigh, called for a commitment that churches in Scotland will be allowed to open for Easter at the latest and urged Scotland’s First Minister to set out […]
Catholic Union warns lockdowns risk fundamental rights
The Catholic Union has warned about disproportionate interference with people’s freedom of religion or belief during lockdowns imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. In evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), the Catholic Union states that the Government was slow to reopen churches after the first national lockdown. It also highlights the lack […]
Catholic Union calls for evidence on Scottish church closures UPDATED
The Catholic Union has called on the Scottish Government to publish evidence for its decision to close places of worship again. In a letter to Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Catholic Union said it was extremely concerned about the decision to close churches for private prayer and worship as part of new […]
Catholic Union responds to reopening of churches for worship
On 23 November, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, confirmed that churches in England will be able to open for worship from 3 December. The decision follows a joint call from over 70 MPs and peers to lift the ban on religious services.
MPs and peers call for Christmas church guarantee
A cross party group of over 70 MPs and peers has called on the Prime Minister to guarantee that church services will go ahead this Christmas. In a letter to Boris Johnson, they call for churches in England to be open for worship as soon as possible, and at least in time for Christmas. […]
Sir Edward Leigh’s letter to the Prime Minister
The President of the Catholic Union, the Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP has written to the Prime Minister today calling on the Government to publish the evidence and scientific advice that led to the decision to close places of worship for services. He says that “without such evidence, banning communal worship is a clearly […]
Catholic Union responds to new national restrictions in England
Following the announcement from the Prime Minister on 31 October that church services will not be able to take place in England from 5 November – 2 December, the Catholic Union has issued the following statement.
Catholics press Charities Minister for extra support
The Catholic Union arranged a meeting with Charities Minister, Baroness Barran, to call for extra support for charities during the coronavirus pandemic. Catholic Union Director, Nigel Parker, and Head of Public Affairs, James Somerville-Meikle, were joined by representatives of the Caritas Social Action Network and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for a […]
