O Come All Ye Vaccinated Faithful: Durham Cathedral Is Asking Worshipers for COVID Passes in Defiance of Guidance from the Official Church of England
- Durham Cathedral is asking worshipers for COVID passes – in defiance of guidance from the official Church of England
- The move has sparked anger amid claims that it is ‘severely at odds’ with the spirit of the festive season
- In its COVID guidance, the church says it has ‘a clear policy to encourage people to get vaccinated’.
Durham Cathedral is asking worshipers for COVID passes – in defiance of guidance from the official Church of England.
participants Christmas Services will be required to show proof that they have either been vaccinated, tested negative within the past 48 hours, or been cured of the virus.
The move has sparked anger amid claims that it is ‘severely contrary’ with the spirit of the festive season.
In its COVID guidance, the church says it has ‘a clear policy to encourage people to get vaccinated, but, except in very exceptional circumstances,’ [it is opposed] To limit access to church services or organizations based on vaccine certification.
Durham Cathedral is asking worshipers for COVID passes – in defiance of guidance from the official Church of England. Image: The Right Reverend Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham
It further said: ‘Such an approach would be contrary to the principle of a church house and a shelter for all.’
But officials at the 928-year-old cathedral – which is the seat of Bishop Paul Butler of Durham – said they have “taken a cautious approach to COVID-19 restrictions since the start of the pandemic and we are continuing to do so”. Take measures to reduce risk and reduce pressure on our NHS services.
About 80 percent of its festive services will require a COVID pass.
The Rev. Jamie Franklin, one of the church’s 1,000 leaders, sent an open letter to Boris Johnson describing the vaccine passport as a “fundamental betrayal of Christianity”, urging the dean and chapter to reconsider their stance. Did.
The move has sparked anger amid claims that it is ‘severely at odds’ with the spirit of the festive season (file image)
He said: ‘Christmas is a time when we remember God’s will to be with the oppressed, the outcast and the poor.
‘The decision to bar a sub-section of society considered unclean and dangerous from entering the church is contrary to the message of Christmas.’
Jody Beck of civil rights group Liberty said: ‘Durham Cathedral must not arbitrarily create rules that affect how people can access services.’
The Church of England said: ‘We will not comment on Durham Cathedral.’
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