New rules about marriages and funerals in UK The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred bysections 45C(1), (3)(c), (4)(b), (4)(d), 45F(2) and 45P of the Public Health (Control of Disease)Act 1984(a).These Regulations are made in response to the serious and imminent threat to public health whichis posed by …
Europe
by Maria Cristina Ivaldi
Preliminary remarks about French secularism
The Law of 9 December 1905[1] established the State separation from the churches, excluding state funding of faith-based organizations. This system of secularism since the 1946 Constitution has assumed the specific form of French laïcité[2]. It is a system which appears to be characterized on the one hand by the affirmation of the principle of strict neutrality of public institutions and on the other hand by the recognition of the religious freedom of individuals which, over time, has been posed limits, especially in terms of external manifestations[3]. Furthermore, there are no special relationships between the State and the different religious institutions.
“Followers of Judaism in our country deeply respect the invaluable historical and spiritual heritage of their ancestors, and carefully pass on their ancient, distinctive religious and cultural traditions from generation to generation. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is rightfully considered one of the most important occasions in the life of the Jewish community. On these days, people look back on the path travelled and make plans for the future. They aspire to purity of thoughts and deeds, and help others.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace be with you!
For several weeks now, we have all been living through something we did not expect and for which we had no time to prepare ourselves, no real precedents to guide us, no previous experience to reassure us. A microscopic virus has thrown the whole world into disarray, including our normal Catholic life.
We want to support you and are very aware that you know the situations within your own
parishes. Therefore, you are well placed to provide the circumstances in which your church can
resume activities within infection control recommendations. In addition, we want to provide an
avenue for you to ask questions and provide feedback about where you would like further
guidance.
In short, we advise that, at present:
1. cleaning and disinfecting of church buildings must be observed
2. 2m physical distancing must be observed
3. increased hand washing should be observed and hand sanitiser should be available and
utilised
4. face coverings must be worn at all times within church buildings (except by the priest
within liturgical services when at least 2m of physical distance is possible.
Towards Re-opening Church Buildings: Covid-19 Risk Assessment Checklist for Parish Churches
Version Control
This document provides a template risk assessment, with links to the relevant advice notes. It relates to situations where there is limited access to church buildings the purposes of private prayer, livestreaming, construction, carrying out of contractual work, building maintenance and cleaning. This template relates exclusively to Covid-related risks, not general risks. If you would like more information about your responsibilities under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations then information and templates can be found on the HSE website.
A further version of this will be produced when small services such as weddings and funerals are allowed, then for private prayer, then for some form of public worship. At present no public access is permitted to church buildings under government guidance.
La Conférence des évêques de France (CEF) se réjouit que le décret publié ce matin, samedi 23 mai 2020, par le Gouvernement, conformément à la sentence rendue par le Conseil d’État lundi dernier, 18 mai, redonne sa juste place à la liberté d’exercice des cultes ; les restrictions qui y sont apportées, comme à toute liberté …
22 mai 2020 Christophe Castaner, ministre de l’Intérieur, annonce avoir convenu avec les représentants des cultes des modalités de reprise des cérémonies religieuses. Depuis le début de la crise sanitaire, les responsables des cultes en France ont fait preuve de réactivité et de responsabilité face à l’épidémie. Si les lieux de culte n’ont jamais été …
Faith leaders and government have agreed to develop a plan to enable the phased and safe reopening of places of worship when the evidence shows it is the right time to do so, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed today (15 May 2020).
