TRURO Cathedral has announced it is suspending all communal worship for the coming weeks due to rapidly rising infection rates in Cornwall.

Covid infection rates are said to be nearly out of control in the county and lockdown rules state that people should not go out unless absolutely necessary.

However, unlike in the first lockdown, public worship is exempt from the new rules, making no change from the tier 4 regulations, previously the most severe.

The rules say: “You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, a funeral or event related to a death, a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony.”

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Announcing the closure on its website Truro Cathedral said in a statement: "It is with sadness that we are to announce due to the rapidly rising infection rates in Cornwall we have taken the decision that Truro Cathedral will suspend all communal worship for the coming weeks, but will continue to live stream services where possible.

"We feel that this is the most responsible thing to do for the safety of all. The cathedral at this time remains open for private prayer only with reduced opening hours Monday-Saturday 11am-1pm and Sunday 11.30am-1pm. The cathedral shop and restaurant are now closed. Please be aware the toilets will also be closed. There will be a member of the clergy available at all times during opening hours."

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The Very Revd Roger Bush, Dean of Truro, said in a statement that it was quite probable that we are now entering the most dangerous phase of Covid-19, and the coming weeks could be some of the darkest we have faced over the last ten months.

Falmouth Packet:

"Since the start of the latest lockdown last Tuesday, we have been grappling with the invidious choice of being appropriately available for people as well as exercising our responsibilities with regard to the accelerating contagion rates of coronavirus at the moment.

"People were given permission to leave home to attend a communal act of worship in a place of worship, and this we have honoured for the last few days. However, with local contagion rates increasing exponentially, we have to take into account the added weight of responsibility that this brings.

"So, very reluctantly, the Cathedral Executive has decided to suspend all communal worship for the time being."

He said the decision has been taken with deep regret, but they felt that the onus should now be on people staying at home, thus minimising the chances of the virus spreading via human contact.

"It is quite probable that we are now entering the most dangerous phase of Covid-19, and the coming weeks could be some of the darkest we have faced over the last ten months," he said. "We hope and pray that the light of Christ will continue to shine in these darkened times, and whilst we may not be able to gather again for some time, we will be strengthened by the fact that we are praying for each other and all who bear the brunt of contending with Covid and its consequences."

The cathedral will now be open from 11am to 1pm each day (Sundays 11.30am – 1pm) and a member of the clergy will be available in the cathedral porch to respond to any pastoral matter that may arise from people who may be in the vicinity for other important reasons.

The cathedral says it cannot encourage people to leave home, but they will be there between those times should they be needed. Also, if any pastoral matter arises outside these hours, to ring the 01872 276782, and a member of the clergy will get back as soon as possible.

Stay safe.