The House of Bishops met via Zoom this afternoon, as it has done regularly throughout the current pandemic, and continued to review advice to clergy on the Church’s efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus, to protect the vulnerable and health services.
In a discussion led by the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, who chairs a group examining how the Church of England might proceed once the current restrictions for COVID-19 are relaxed or lifted, the House of Bishops recognised that there have been some welcome signs of improvement in the current situation, including a reduction in new cases and hospital admissions giving evidence for hope.
While church buildings remain closed for public worship, in line with Government advice, the Bishops agreed in principle to a phased approach to lifting restrictions, in time and in parallel with the Government’s approach, with three broad stages as infection levels improve:
- An initial immediate phase allowing very limited access to church buildings for activities such as streaming of services or private prayer by clergy in their own parishes, so long as the necessary hygiene and social distancing precautions are taken
- Subsequently access for some rites and ceremonies when allowed by law, observing appropriate physical distancing and hygiene precautions
- Worship services with limited congregations meeting, when Government restrictions are eased to allow this
The Bishops agreed that the decision on the timing of when to implement the revised advice on ministers or worship leaders praying and streaming from their church buildings should be made by individual Diocesan Bishops, depending on their local situation.
The Bishops were clear once again that this is guidance – not an instruction or law – and that it will be constantly reviewed depending on the national situation.
National Church of England guidance will be updated in the coming days with further advice on how the staged process could be implemented and with factors and information for dioceses to consider.
Bishop Sarah said: “We are hugely grateful for all that our churches and clergy have been doing to support the Government’s message to stay at home, to support the NHS, and to save lives.
“While it is clear there will be no imminent return to normality, the emphasis is now turning towards how and when aspects of social distancing can be eased, although we remain mindful of the potential risks of a second wave of the virus.
“Nevertheless, it now makes sense for us to start to look ahead to the potential easing of restrictions so that our clergy and churches can be prepared.”
‘It now makes sense for us to start to look ahead to the potential easing of restrictions so that our clergy and churches can be prepared.” Wow, talk about stating the blindingly obvious! One would have thought such ‘looking ahead’ would have begun ages ago. Such is the calibre of leadership in the C of E- rock bottom!
‘Such is the calibre of leadership in the C of E- rock bottom!’
The dire performance of C of E bishops is now so undeniable that it raises the fundamental question of how long the church can survive with these people ‘in charge’. The latest appointment for the post of Archbishop of York is a complete joke – except that no one is laughing.
The episcopy appears to exist in a self replicating bubble which is utterly separated from the faith and theology held by those of its clergy which represent the life and growth of the church. Indeed it appears to be serving a different master, looking to secular values and approval for its guiding principles. It seems these people employ Christian language (and then mangle it) not out of any conviction but as a necessary requirement for justifying the office they hold. If there are any among them who secretly don’t concur, they remain silent, fail to prick the bubble and therefore help to prolong an untenable status quo.
We cannot go on like this.
If I may opine from outside the UK I would say Archbishop Melvin Tinker has a nice ring to it.
I would hardly call this a “U-turn”! A very slight re-direction of course, at most.
The Church of England is still accepting that its activities are non-essential (unlike, say, bicycle shops); and are enforcing a more severe lockdown and restrictions than apply to other buildings.
http://charltonteaching.blogspot.com/2020/05/choice-phrases-from-church-of-england.html
I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on priests needing – personally – to clean-up the bat and rat poo, and wipe the door handles, during their precious few permitted minutes inside church.
I remember a conversation with a not then but now bishop who explained that he did not believe in Jesus in the same way as me. ‘The New Testament and the creeds are only ‘indications’ of what ‘some second and subsequently fourth century Christians believed.’ That of course leaves a lot of room to be filled with whatever else supports your personal, political, sexual, or any other preference or tickles your fantasy!