St. John s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, Scotland, July 9, 2010. | (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Kim Traynor)
More than two dozen church leaders in Scotland have joined legal proceedings against the Scottish government, demanding a judicial review of tighter pandemic lockdown measures that have closed churches for in-person services and “criminalize[ed] public worship.”
The church leaders argue in a claim for judicial review that the coronavirus regulations imposed by the Scottish government this month “are in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights [Articles 9 and 11] and the Scottish Constitution,” according to a statement issued by the London-based Christian Legal Centre.
The claim is filed by 27 church leaders, including those from the Free Church of Scotland, the Church of Scotland and independent churches.
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Rev. William Philip, leader of the Tron church in Glasgow city centre, said: “We are able to do some things remotely via broadcasting but many – especially the poorest, the oldest and those most vulnerable – have no access to this.
“They are excluded completely from the possibility of Christian worship and the comfort and encouragement in life and death only this can give.
“Due to the severe restrictions upon gatherings and significant distress this has caused, we have faced no alternative but to pursue legal action.”
As part of the latest lockdown rules, places of worship are only permitted to conduct weddings or funerals – with the number of attendees strictly limited – and to broadcast services online.
Updated: January 29, 2021, 4:15 pm
Places of worship are only permitted to conduct weddings or funerals due to the restrictions (Paul Faith/PA)
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Religious leaders in Scotland have started legal proceedings against the Scottish Government over the closure of churches.
Lockdown measures designed to stop the spread of coronavirus have forced places of worship to shut.
Some representatives from the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) and a number of independent churches have now launched a claim for judicial review.
Scots church leaders threaten legal action if places of worship cannot reopen
Churches have now written to the Scottish Government demanding to let in the public insisting they are essential .
Updated
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