CAPTION: Candles lit for the Carol Service at St Mary's, Bickington
Bishop Encourages People to Attend Christmas Services with ‘Vigilance and Caution’
The Bishop of Exeter said the Omicron Coronavirus variant had cast a shadow but “we should not let it define us.”
The Right Reverend Robert Atwell said he was still encouraging people to go to church this Christmas.
Bishop Robert was speaking on the BBC Radio Devon faith programme.
He said, “We must be vigilant and cautious, but we shouldn’t allow fear to defeat us.”
“At Christmas we often read the opening of St John’s Gospel and hear the words: ‘The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.’
“Those words bring me hope this Christmas.”
Under the current government Covid-19 legislation it is now mandatory for people to wear a facemask in church, although there are some exemptions.
Churches in Devon have also carried out risk assessments ahead of their Christmas services to ensure social distancing and good ventilation.
Some churches are also offering carol services online or holding them outside.
Bishop Robert said, although there is a government exemption from wearing facemasks for singing, he would keep his mask on when singing at Christmas services.
