LONDON: Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Church of England and Wales and chairman of the Archdiocese of Westminster, says Catholics should be allowed to open Catholic shrines even before they are opened. He said this in an interview with RadioForce. Archbishop Nichols points out that the reason for such a need in the way in which Catholic churches are practiced, unlike other religions. He explained that the first concession should be made to come to church and pray in private, but only afterward to give the public permission to worship with the people.
Believers have used a number of methods, including online worship, as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus. But the Catholic community now wants to go to church and share in the fullness of worship. The special committee appointed by the government to decide on the opening of places of worship should be aware that the prayers of various religions are different. In Protestant and Islamic places of worship, everyone is praying together. He said, however, that Catholic prayers could offer personal prayers through social distance.
The church has already submitted proposals to the state government on how to open shrines. Though thousands of Catholics are participating in the online sacrifice, everyone is desperately seeking the Holy Mass. He said that these days are like painful fasting days for Catholics. There have been reports that the temples will only open in the UK in the first week of July. Church leaders and believers have come out in strong protest against the state line.
