CAPTION: Bishop Robert led livestreamed prayers and a minute's silence from Exeter Cathedral
Bishop Leads Lockdown Anniversary Reflection in Exeter Cathedral
The Bishop of Exeter has lead an Act of Reflection in Exeter Cathedral to mark the anniversary of the first coronavirus lockdown on 23 March 2020.
Bishop Robert’s reflection included prayers and the lighting of a candle in memory of those who have died.
It was livestreamed via social media and concluded at noon with a minute’s silence followed by the tolling of the Cathedral bells.
Bishop Robert said “This day of reflection is really important for all of us as we join with people right across our nation as we remember all those who have died this past year.
“Bereavement is a really difficult and painful journey… it is really difficult when you haven’t been able to be with someone you love to say goodbye or to mourn their passing at their funeral.
“We stand in solidarity with [those who are grieving] and we uphold them as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, praying that the light of Christ may be with them and accompany them on that journey, confident that the hope of Christ will be with them and sustain them.”

The majority of mourners say they have not been able to say goodbye to a loved one properly during the pandemic
The National Day of Reflection was coordinated by the charity Marie Curie and officially supported by the Church of England.
More than 1000 people in Devon have died over the last 12 months as a result of coronavirus and around 32,000 have had the virus.
The Archdeacon of Plymouth, the Venerable Nick Shutt, has written to all funeral directors and crematorium staff in Devon on behalf of the Diocese of Exeter, to thank them for the work they have been doing to support grieving families during the pandemic.
Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, he said “It is a difficult enough job as it is, but when you are dealing with people facing grief and loss as a result of the pandemic then that must make life even more difficult for them.
“We take our hats off to them, we admire them for what they have been doing and we express our thanks to them.”
A new online survey of more than 2000 adults commissioned by the Church of England, found that nearly three quarters of people – more than seven in 10 – who wanted to attend a funeral over the past year were unable to do so because of the pandemic.
89% of mourners said that people had not been able to say goodbye properly to those who had died, while a similar proportion, 84%, said that people had not been able to fulfil the funeral wishes of the person who died.
Overall four in 10 people said they had lost someone close to them since March 2020 from any cause, including Covid-19.