Bishop of Portsmouth asks Boris Johnson to allow Catholic mass in national lockdown
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The Rt Rev Philip Egan said in a letter to Boris Johnson that worshippers going to mass is ‘one of the safest of all activities that people can undertake’.
This is because restrictions have limited the number of people who can attend, with churches deep cleaned, face masks and one-way systems.
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Hide AdHe said: ‘The rigorous safety regimes in place require careful social distancing, the wearing of face-masks, sanitisation, one-way systems and the deep cleansing of the building.
‘All of this has made attending mass one of the safest of all activities that people can undertake. This is borne out by the statistics.
‘There is no evidence that attending the Liturgy in our churches has contributed to the recent rises in coronavirus cases.’
He is asking MPs across the area to support changes to the lockdown rules, set to be voted on in parliament on Wednesday, so that mass can still take place.
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Hide AdCurrently private prayer at churches would still be allowed.
The Portsmouth Diocese will hold a 'day of prayer and fasting for an end to the coronavirus pandemic' on November 27.
The bishop added: ‘Throughout the crisis, we Catholics have been praying to God for a speedy end to the pandemic, for the safety and protection of all.’