In response to the Prime Minister’s 23 March announcement of sweeping restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York wrote to all Church of England clergy informing them that church buildings must be closed not only for public worship, but for private prayer as well, including the priest or lay person offering prayer in church on their own. Similar measures were introduced by the Church in Wales.

As a consequence there have been no marriages in church buildings since then; although an end to the restrictions is now in prospect in England following Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 June, and relaxations already in place in Wales, the absence of public worship already has impacted on marriage by banns and on couples who wish to claim a “qualifying connection” to their preferred wedding venue. Continue reading →