SW News: Archbishop John Wilson of the Diocese of Southwark, England, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, expressing his concern over the UK government’s decision to keep churches closed while lifting restrictions on ‘non-essential’ facilities.

“For Catholics, access to church buildings is spiritually essential, something recognized by other Governments internationally,” said the archbishop.

In the letter, Archbishop John Wilson recalled how churches have remained closed following government orders, even during Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

Since the government decided to close places of worship from 23 March, the Church has “accepted this as part of the important strategic effort to save lives and contain the spread of COVID-19," noted the archbishop.

In the letter dated May 27, the archbishop pointed out that easing restrictions on other ‘non- essential’ facilities while churches remained locked is the violation of religious freedom, equality, and justice.

He said that there is a “growing frustration that churches remain closed for private, individual, visits of prayer.”

He added that access to places of worship is integral for the mental wellbeing of the people.

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