CNA Staff, Jan 5, 2021 / 11:30 am
The Scottish Catholic bishops have protested the closing of churches as part of Scotland's newest coronavirus lockdown.
Scotland's government announced the latest closure Jan. 4. The month-long lockdown will close churches to public Mass from Jan. 8 to Feb. 1. Funerals and marriages can take place with a limited number of attendees.
England's government also instituted a new national lockdown this week, but churches will be allowed to remain open and residents can attend public Masses.
The Scottish bishops said in a statement Jan. 5 that they are "perplexed by the decision" to close Scotland's churches, given that other sectors closed during the March lockdown, such as "construction, manufacturing and elite sports -- have now been left free to continue in operation."