Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Freethinker

Home
Nonreligious
‘Holy Spirit’ tells pastor to break COVID-19 rules in his Welsh church

‘Holy Spirit’ tells pastor to break COVID-19 rules in his Welsh church

Last updated on: October 28, 2020 at 12:00 am by Barry Duke

‘Holy Spirit’ tells pastor to break COVID-19 rules in his Welsh church 2020-10-28T00:00:09+02:00 Barry Duke

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

CHICAGO-born Wade McLennan, above, who established roots in Wales and heads New Hope Community Church in Cardiff, is the latest pastor to break COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

The imbecile’s excuse for his breach – provided to Premier – was that he was going to comply with the restrictions, but then “felt led by God “during a meeting with the leaders of his church to breach the rules and stand up for the right to worship.

The Lord convicted me because I wanted multiple pastors to stand, and if we had one voice, we could do this. And the Holy Spirit really spoke to me in this, and it was something that was quite specific.

Police said they turned up at the church following a report of a Covid-19 restrictions breach. After being allowed in by the pastor of the church the officers told the congregation they were breaking the law and needed to go home.

Wales went into a 17-day lockdown last Friday in response to a spike in infections.

Some members of the church expressed their disapproval of the police raid, saying the Welsh government ban on public church gatherings was “illegal.”

Police told Premier in a statement that:

After explaining the rules and encouraging people to comply, officers moved outside the church to allow five minutes of prayer after which all those present left. No fixed penalty notices were issued.

McLennan said he plans breach the rules by holding another church service.

South Wales Police have sympathised with churches that cannot have public gatherings for three Sundays.

We know civil restrictions are frustrating and disheartening for people, but by following them, we can all play a part in protecting our communities and the National Health Service. Please take time to understand the latest regulations, all of which can be found on the Welsh Government website.

A Welsh Government spokesperson has also expressed sympathy, but maintains that the measures are to benefit the whole population.

We appreciate how incredibly difficult these restrictions are for many, but they have been introduced for two weeks to prevent the spread of this deadly virus and save lives.

We support all faiths in Wales and have not stopped people from worshiping, but we face a very serious situation; people are dying every day as a result of coronavirus. We need everyone to work together to make this firebreak successful if we are to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed and even more people losing their lives over the weeks and months ahead.

We are absolutely aware of the serious impact loneliness can have on individuals, and we are determined to do everything we can to support people through these difficult times. We have made changes to our regulations to allow people to form an “extended household” if they live alone, whilst our Looking Out For Each Other campaign offers advice about how we can support others.

• Please report any typos/errors to [email protected]

If you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee – and boy, do I get through a LOT of coffee keeping this site active – please click the link below.

I’d love a cup of coffee

News

COVID-19

New Hope Community Church

Wade McLennan

Wales

Previous Post

October 27, 2020

Op-ed: All the absolutes

Next Post

October 28, 2020 Turkey vents fury after Charlie Hebdo lampoons President Erdogan

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Archive My Atheism News Opinion Reviews Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 March 2007 April 2006 February 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Like a sheep led to slaughter, silent before shearers, this servant was pierced for our transgressions. What chapter foretells this suffering?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Isaiah 7 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 9 Isaiah 61

Books by This Author Books by The Freethinker

See All Titles »