Japanese worshippers adopt facemasks for festival where they walk through FIRE 

Japanese worshippers have prayed for the safety of themselves and their families by walking barefoot with Buddhist monks over smouldering coals at an annual festival near Mt. Takaosan. The fire-walking today was more tense than usual because participants were required to wear masks and maintain social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The festival was … Read more

Scores of worshippers pray together at Islamic gathering in Bangladesh

Thousands of Muslim worshippers pray together and mingle in crowds at four-day Islamic festival in Bangladesh after country is spared a devastating wave of coronavirus deaths Crowds were mingling at close quarters at the four-day Islamic gathering on the banks of the Kirtankhola river Some worshippers took up positions days beforehand but it was not … Read more

Chichester Cathedral clergy will SPRINKLE ash on worshippers’ foreheads during Lent service

Chichester Cathedral clergy will SPRINKLE ash on worshippers’ foreheads instead of rubbing it on during Lent service to cut Covid risk The change is being made at Chichester Cathedral’s Ash Wednesday service Clergy will sprinkle ash with their hands from a distance over worshippers’ heads It is just one of many restrictions to have an … Read more

Christmas service UK: Masked worshippers watch on as the Archbishop of Canterbury leads service

Masked worshippers watch on as the Archbishop of Canterbury leads Christmas Day service to a socially-distanced congregation before he talks of ‘year of anxiety’ in festive message Justin Welby is expected to refer to a ‘year of anxiety’ in his Christmas message The Archbishop of Canterbury arrived at Canterbury Cathedral for a service He wore … Read more

Police officers stop evangelical church from holding baptism service attended by 30 worshippers

Police officers stop evangelical church from holding baptism service attended by 30 worshippers for breaching lockdown restrictions Worshippers gathered at The Angel Church in Clerkenwell, London, on Sunday  Lead pastor Regan King, 28, said he wanted to hold baptism for ‘greater good’  Two police vans and police car parked outside church’s Mount Zion Hall building  … Read more

Archbishop of Canterbury warns that forcing church services to stop is a ‘huge loss’ for worshippers

Is Justin Welby losing faith with lockdown? Archbishop of Canterbury warns that forcing church services to stop is a ‘huge loss’ for worshippers Justin Welby is seeking a meeting with ministers to complain about the rules    The archbishops said churches will this time stay open for individuals to pray Muslim leaders also criticised lockdown, calling for … Read more

Police are called to Luton mosque after huge row erupts involving up to 300 worshippers

Police are called to Luton mosque after huge row erupts involving up to 300 worshippers inside building Six police cars arrived at Jalalabad Jame Masjid Mosque in Luton on Friday Footage of police breaking up altercation emerged on social media on Monday Allegedly started following dispute involving secretary Syedul Islam Khan Arrived to worship as … Read more

Wales church service is stopped by police as worshippers are told they breaking lockdown rules

‘Sorry to spoil the party’: Moment a church service is stopped by police as worshippers are told they breaking strict lockdown rules in Wales Churchgoers filled packed church despite ‘firebreak’ rules banning gatherings Naomi Mclennan filmed officers entering New Hope Community Church, Cardiff Officer tells congregation members of the public have told them about breach … Read more

Pope Francis removes his mask as he touches worshippers and vows to defeat coronavirus with love

Pope Francis removes his mask as he touches worshippers and vows to defeat coronavirus with love at a ‘limited’ public audience at the Vatican as he steps up his return to normal duties Pope was all smiles as he shook hands and touched foreheads on Wednesday The 83-year-old removed his mask as he arrived at … Read more