A statement from Dean Roger

Dear friends

Since the start of the latest lockdown last Tuesday, we have been grappling with the invidious choice of being appropriately available for people as well as exercising our responsibilities with regard to the accelerating contagion rates of coronavirus at the moment. People were given permission to leave home to attend a communal act of worship in a place of worship, and this we have honoured for the last few days. However, with local contagion rates increasing exponentially, we have to take into account the added weight of responsibility that this brings. So, very reluctantly, the Cathedral Executive has decided to suspend all communal worship for the time being. This means that the 10am Eucharist on a Sunday will be live-streamed, and it is our intention at this stage to also offer a live-streamed Evensong sometime during the week. This decision has been taken with deep regret, but we felt that the onus should now be on people staying at home, thus minimising the chances of the virus spreading via human contact.

The cathedral will now be open from 11.00am to 1.00pm each day (Sundays 11.30am – 1.00pm) and a member of the clergy will be available in the cathedral porch to respond to any pastoral matter that may arise from people who may be in the vicinity for other important reasons. We cannot encourage people to leave home, but we will be there between those times should we be needed. Also, if any pastoral matter arises outside these hours, please ring the following number, 01872 276782, and a member of the clergy will get back to you as soon as possible.

 It is quite probable that we are now entering the most dangerous phase of Covid-19, and the coming weeks could be some of the darkest we have faced over the last ten months. We hope and pray that the light of Christ will continue to shine in these darkened times, and whilst we may not be able to gather again for some time, we will be strengthened by the fact that we are praying for each other and all who bear the brunt of contending with Covid and its consequences.

Stay safe.

Please click below to see this video message recorded earlier today: