Corona
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Central Europe
No compulsory vaccination, German church leaders write in an appeal
In Germany, around 150 evangelical pastors, church leaders and other spiritual leaders have joined forces to oppose the introduction of compulsory vaccination. They addressed an appeal to the leading representatives of the country. Among the addressees are Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz,…
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European Union
European churches lift Covid restrictions
As the Covid pandemic seems to dissolve, several churches can organise physical services again; with all members, without a vaccination passport. However, not all European churches are ready for complete opening. In the Netherlands, Covid restrictions have ended since February 25th. Recently, the Dutch Minister of Health said during a…
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Northern Europe
This Sunday, Swede can go to church again
Starting next week, Sweden will be free of Covid restrictions. Churches are also no longer required to take measures against the virus. Pastors and churchgoers are happy. However, some expect that normalisation will take some time. Vaccine passes are no longer required for attending a church service. Drinking coffee after…
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Western Europe
Half a million Dutch sign petition against Covid certificate
A petition against Covid certificates in the Netherlands received 500,000 signatures within three days. The people behind the initiative think the proof of vaccination is out of proportion given the current situation of the pandemic. The face of the campaign is former underminister Mona Keijzer, a Christian Democrat. According to…
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Southern Europe
Twelve priests in Cyprus suspended for refusing vaccination
Twelve priests from the archbishopric district of Nicosia in Cyprus will be suspended because they have not responded to Archbishop Chrysostom's call to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The three-month period will start on Tuesday. Chrysostom II told the Cypriot media that most of the suspended priests persuaded the parishioners…
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Central Europe
Unvaccinated pastor in Germany suspended
The protestant pastor of Werl in Germany, Lutz Wolfestieg, has been suspended because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19. The reason given for his suspension is that he forms a risk of infecting worshippers with the virus. “Of course, it hits me hard”, Wulfestieg reacts in Soester Anzeiger. “I'm a…
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Central Europe
German free churches are against compulsory vaccination
The mandatory vaccination in Germany is not coming as quickly as the new coalition wishes, but the intention is there. Generally speaking, churches favour it. But evangelicals and pietists are against it. The general religious communities in Germany, such as the prominent people's churches, favour mandatory vaccination, as the magazine…
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Northern Europe
Swedish Christmas service source of infection with Covid-19
Many attendants of a church service in Immanuel Church in Örebro tested positive for Covid-19. They had been present during a service on Christmas Eve, Dagen reports. In total, 200 people were present in the evangelical church meeting, and all were vaccinated, according to Dagen. Yet, more and more people…
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Southern Europe
Italy makes Covid vaccination mandatory for over-50s
The Italian Cabinet voted in favour of making vaccines against the Covid-19 virus mandatory for everyone over 50 years old. The newspaper Avvenire reports this. The measure has gone into force immediately on Wednesday and remains in place until June 15. Starting February 15, all employees over 50 will have…
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Eastern Europe
“True Christian takes the jab”, Russian priest says
People who do not want to be vaccinated should limit contact with others. Otherwise, they would bring other people in danger. But a good Christian would take the immunisation. That is the vision of the Russian priest Vladimir Duhovich, a central figure in the church in the struggle against Covid-19.…