Catholic leader calls on government to keep churches open amid Covid surge

The Archbishop of Westminster and leader of Catholics in England and Wales has urged Boris Johnson’s government not to reintroduce restrictions on churches amid record Covid infection rates.

Data published on Thursday, suggesting the Omicron strain might cause less severe illness than the Delta variant, has fuelled speculation that the prime minister will resist imposing further curbs after Christmas.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said it was clear that large spaces such as churches were “not places where we spread the virus”.

“I would sincerely appeal that they do not again consider closing churches and places of worship,” the archbishop told the BBC prior to midnight mass at Westminster Cathedral.

“I think this country has shown that people can make good judgements themselves,” he added.

“We’re at that point of saying we understand the risk. We know what we should do. Most people are sensible and cautious. We don’t need stronger impositions to teach us what to do.”

It comes after a further 122,186 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases were recorded in the UK as of 9am on Christmas Eve, another record daily figure, while 137 people died within 28 days of testing positive.

In Scotland, nightclubs will close for at least three weeks from Monday as part of a package of measures to control the spread of the virus, while clubs in Wales and Northern Ireland will close from tomorrow.

PA Archive: Archbishop Vincent Nichols with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh: - PA

But in England, the government may choose to issue new voluntary guidance on limiting contacts rather than risk another damaging Tory rebellion by recalling parliament to impose new rules.

Mr Johnson has indicated he will not hesitate to act after Christmas if required. Monday is expected to be the first opportunity for ministers to consider whether changes are needed beyond the existing Plan B measures.

Any new restrictions could be in place until late March under measures examined by the government’s scientific advisers.

The latest modelling considered a package of measures including a ban on socialising with another household indoors and a return to the rule of six outdoors, in line with the Step 2 restrictions in place in England earlier in the year.

A consensus paper published on Friday by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group of Warwick University experts said, “rapidly enacted Step 2 measures reduce the peak of hospital pressure to about half its level under Plan B only”, but the paper has not yet been seen by ministers. 

Reference: The Independent: benjamin Cooper: 

Charles and Camilla lead Royals attending Christmas Day service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor

Members of the Royal Family have been seen attending the Christmas Day service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday 25 December.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla joined Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex alongside Prince Richard and his wife Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester were seen at the chapel inside Windsor Castle grounds for the special service.

It's understood the Queen didn't attend church but worshiped privately due to the coronavirus spread.

The Queen will not be making any public appearances on Christmas Day due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in a move which saw the monarch change her Christmas plans at the last minute.

This year will mark the second year the Queen has not spent Christmas at the Sandringham Estate since 1988.

Last year, the monarch spent Christmas at Windsor Castle with her husband Prince Philip, who passed away age 99 in April this year.

Queen Elizabeth, 95, changed her Christmas plans at the last minute due to the Omicron Covid-19 variant spreading rapidly across the country.

Despite cancelling plans to travel to Sandringham, she will still be surrounded by her family, but the Royals will reportedly take sensible precautions.

2021 Getty Images Prince Charles and Camilla have been photographed arriving at St George's Chapel in Windsor on Christmas on Day

The Queen had hoped to spend the first Christmas since her beloved husband's death at the Norfolk estate surrounded by family as it is a place both she and her last husband loved so dearly.

She also usually takes part in an annual Christmas day walkabout at Sandringham where hundreds of people travel to the royal estate in the hopes of shaking hands with the monarch, but this is also understood to have been cancelled.

One Royal tradition that will take place this year is the airing of the Queen's Christmas speech.

The speech is expected to be personal this year and include a tribute to her late husband Prince Philip.

Queen Elizabeth recorded the annual broadcast earlier this month, before her decision to spend the festive period at Windsor.

In the broadcast, she is seen wearing a sapphire brooch, which she wore on her honeymoon in 1947.

She is sat next to a photograph of herself and her beloved husband the Duke of Edinburgh, which was taken on their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007.

The monarch is wearing the same sapphire brooch in the picture, too. 

Reference: OK Magazine: Amy Denman