Ulster bishops' statement in relation to public worship restrictions

Press Release
February 27, 2021

Following the Northern Ireland Executive's decision to extend the current Covid--19 restrictions to Thursday 1st April 2021, representatives of the Churches met earlier this week with Ministers from the Executive Office, the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer. At that meeting the Chief Medical Officer stressed that it would make a significant difference and be of huge benefit to public health and safety, if churches were willing to continue, for the time being, not to gather in--person for services and other meetings.

In the light of the Executive's extension of the current restrictions, and on the basis of the continued and unequivocal public health message that people should continue to stay at home, we have agreed that all in--person Sunday gatherings for worship, along with all other in--person church gatherings, should remain voluntarily suspended for the time being in all Church of Ireland parishes in Northern Ireland until Thursday 1st April 2021 -- with the exception of weddings, funerals, arrangements for recording and/or live--streaming, drive-- in services and private prayer (as permitted by regulations).