The Archbishop of Canterbury has today announced that public worship is ‘suspended until further notice’ amid fears over coronavirus.
In a joint letter, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Justin Welby and John Sentamu respectively, said it was ‘necessary to put public services on hold’.
They added church buildings may remain open for prayer ‘where practical’ and as long as worshippers observe social distancing recommendations.
A Church of England spokesman also clarified that weddings and funerals could still go ahead.
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last night that people should stop socialising, work from home, avoid travelling and that whole households should stay in isolation if one person becomes ill.
In a joint letter, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Justin Welby (pictured) and John Sentamu respectively, said it was ‘necessary to put public services on hold’
‘Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead,’ the archbishops wrote.
‘Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day.
‘We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly pray for people. And we can certainly offer practical care and support.
‘Please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it. Ensure the night shelters wherever possible are kept open.
‘There are many very encouraging schemes happening right across our country in communities to focus on caring for the most vulnerable and do continue to play your part in those.
‘Then by our service, and by our love, Jesus Christ will be made known, and the hope of the gospel – a hope that can counter fear and isolation – will spread across our land.’
The archbishops also invited clergy to maintain the ancient pattern of daily prayer and, where possible, the eucharist – live streaming their worship if they have the resources to do so.
And they urged congregations to be in the forefront of providing practical care and support for the most poor and the most vulnerable during the crisis.
St Paul’s was almost deserted last week (pictured) as tourists stayed away due to coronavirus fears
The Church of England had already announced that the cup of wine, used during the Eucharist, would no longer be passed around for people having Holy Communion at sites including St Paul’s in central London (file photo)
They added: ‘This is a defining moment for the Church of England. Are we truly are a church for all, or just the church for ourselves.
‘We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world.’
The archbishops have joined other church leaders in calling for a day of prayer and action this Sunday – Mothering Sunday – particularly remembering those who are sick or anxious and all involved in health and emergency services.
The news is a ramping up of action by the Church of England after it on Friday banned the Common Cup for Holy Communion to try to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The cup of wine, used during the Eucharist, was stopped from being passed around for people having Holy Communion at sites including St Paul’s in central London.
The Church of England also encouraged worshippers not to shake hands during the ‘Sign of the Peace’.
It comes as mosques and Islamic centres across the UK have been advised to suspend all congregational services to protect worshippers from coronavirus.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it made the recommendation following Government advice to cease all non-essential contact with others and avoid gatherings.
London Waterloo was bereft of commuters this morning after official advice told people to work from home if they could
Bristol Temple Meads train station was eerily quiet this morning at a time when it would usually be heaving in rush hour
MCB secretary general Harun Khan said it is ‘imperative’ that the ‘extraordinary step’ is taken to ensure the safety of communities.
Mr Khan said in a statement: ‘Muslim communities up and down the country, like others, have been carefully considering how best to continue with our regular social and religious activities, whilst trying to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.
‘With the increasing rate of transmission and the number of deaths, medical and scholarly advice all points towards the limitation of social contact as the key towards reducing the spread.’
The MCB said many Muslim scholars – who have consulted with groups including the British Board of Scholars and Imams – believe that the ‘individual obligation to perform Friday prayers in mosque congregations can be temporarily lifted’.
Mr Khan said: ‘Whether it be at the mosques, particularly Friday prayers, which draw crowds including the elderly, vulnerable and those at high risk, weddings, social events or simple day-to-day activities, it is imperative that this extraordinary step is taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities, and our country as a whole.
‘The MCB is confident that the Muslim community will undertake the difficult measures needed in such unprecedented times and put our trust in Allah.’