Churches and having faith in the future – The Yorkshire Post says

On this, Church ministers do have much in common with Cabinet ministers. They might have fallen out over the Dominic Cummings scandal, but they know the gradual reopening of civil society will be a painstaking process.

However Nick Baines, the Bishop of Leeds, is correct when he asserts that clergy will need to use their common sense – an under-rated commodity – as places of worship begin to reopen for individual prayer. “I am telling my clergy, if you’re not ready, don’t do it. This isn’t a competition,” he advises.

Public health and safety must continue to come first at all times – this must continue to take precedence over self-interest or financial concerns as donations from congregations, or income from visitors to Yorkshire’s great cathedrals and churches, dries up. It’s also up to each place of worship to adapt to their own specific circumstances and needs – no two churches are the same.

But Yorkshire remains blessed by the imagination and imagination of religious leaders from all faiths and their ability to deliver spiritual services online and take the Church to the people.

And, in many respects, it is this commitment – and the practical way in which so many churches have responded to a humanitarian, economic and societal crisis like no other – that has restored the faith of so many people and, in turn, given them precious hope for the future.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor