Clwyd West MS and Chair of the Cross Party Group on Faith in the Welsh Parliament, Darren Millar, is calling on the Welsh Government to allow a flexible approach to the re-opening of places of worship in Wales.
Churches, chapels, mosques and synagogues were closed across Wales in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the only religious ceremonies currently permitted in Wales are funerals which adhere to strict social distancing rules, and weddings where one partner is terminally ill.
Darren said:
‘Many churches and chapels are large buildings with congregations that are small enough to easily manage social distancing so it seems odd that people are prevented from worshiping and private prayer in these buildings yet are permitted to go along to their local garden centre or supermarket.
“Many people of faith are longing to be able to worship and fellowship in person once again and the right to do so should be given greater priority by the Welsh Government.
“The nation’s spiritual health is just as important as its mental and physical health so I urge the Welsh Government to work with faith community leaders to allow for a sensible and flexible approach, which recognises differences in congregation sizes and urban and rural Wales, to the reopening of places of worship as soon as possible.”