Kirks may shut to protect parishioners from Covid-19

Yesterday Kirk leaders cancelled this year’s general assembly in Edinburgh over transmission fears.

It is the first time the week-long summit has been pulled since 1689.

But leaders said it could not take place during these “exceptional times”.

The principal clerk, Rev Dr George Whyte, said: “We did not take this decision lightly but in the current circumstances it was the only choice we could make.”

Toddler groups, lunch clubs and other community sessions have already been scaled back as local churches across the country respond to government guidance aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, for which there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment.

READ MORE: Gigs and services cancelled as new coronavirus guidance comes into effect

Now senior figures are to determine whether or not to end church services and close kirks until the crisis passes.

The Scottish Episcopal Church has already announced it will cancel all services, with its churches to remain open for prayer.

Yesterday its College of Bishops stated that “all gatherings for worship, including small gatherings such as house groups, should be discontinued until further notice”, with families warned that it may no longer be possible for clergy to allow grieving families to attend funerals: “Clergy can still take a funeral at the graveside or crematorium, even if those present are limited to clergy and funeral directors.”

Rev Dr George Whyte

A decision on the next steps for the Church of Scotland are expected within days, Whyte told The National. He said: “It’s a shock to us all to think our churches wouldn’t be open. It’s a remarkable and quite devastating thing. We are trying to do what churches should do which is care for our neighbours, but we need to find new ways of doing that.”

READ MORE: The history of Scotland's ‘first’ patron saint, Saint Kessog

At the weekend the Free Church of Scotland publicised live webstreams of Sunday services, while the Roman Catholic Church of Scotland announced it had to close its St Augustine’s Church in Coatbridge after a young member of the congregation tested positive for Covid-19.

Whyte said: “How can we address those issues in the next months as these circumstances sweep through us? People around Scotland are asking themselves that.”

He continued: “Our church communities and ministers are still there and there’s an interest in seeing what we can do to help in the very odd circumstances in which we find ourselves.

“There are ways of keeping in touch with people. Some congregations are looking at doing that through regular phone contact.

“Everybody is at an early stage of trying to cope with this. The formal parts will perhaps have to stop but we’ll still be as engaged as we can with our community.”

Church of Scotland care homes have already issued guidance limiting visits unless in exceptional circumstances.

READ MORE: Church of Scotland cancels General Assembly due to Covid-19

Charities like Age Concern have raised fears that new social distancing guidelines – which are aimed at safeguarding people with weakened immune systems – could further isolate individuals with little social contact and cut them off from key support.

Whyte says the Kirk aims to do all it can to care for those in need, but admits the running of initiatives like food banks is becoming increasingly difficult.

Around 1000 people, including ministers from overseas, were set to attend the general assembly in Edinburgh from May 16.

On its cancellation, he said: “Our assembly would have brought almost a thousand people to a week-long meeting in Edinburgh including visitors from overseas and from other churches. It is a time when we can celebrate being the church and make important decisions about our future but these are exceptional times and people’s health must come first.

“In the meantime the church will find alternative ways to make urgent decisions including confirming the appointment of our new moderator, the Rev Dr Martin Fair, who will take up his duties in May.”