Church of England suspends all public worship for the first time since 1208

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to all Church of England clergy suspending all requirements to hold services of public worship.

Prayer and pastoral support activities will continue.

The decision has been justified on the canonical grounds of "necessity" to avoid the risk of spreading infection of Covid-19.

Where possible churches will remain open for private prayer and those churches with the capacity to do so are urged to consider live-streaming forms of worship.

I believe Chief Rabbi Mirvis has sent out a similar message to Synagogues.

It's not quite as extreme as the papal interdict of  1208 when the churches were locked up and no religious activity was allowed, but it's not far off and the nearest this country has been to shutting down the churches since that year.

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