After court ruling, Inverness church throws open its doors to worshippers from this morning
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St Mary's church will be opening its doors for worship this morning from 11am, after a court ruling said the government could not tell churches how and when they conducted worship.
The landmark decision has been like a "birthday present" for St Mary's priest and congregation, as it comes on the Feast of Annunciation, the day in the liturgical calender that marks Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Following a judicial review at the Court of Session, Judge Lord Baird found that to criminalise communal church worship during the current lockdown "disproportionately infringed" the freedom to express religious beliefs secured in the European Convention on Human Rights.
The legal challenge was brought by the Free Church of Scotland (continuing), individuals from the Church of Scotland and a number of independent churches.
Their challenge was made in response to restrictions announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on January 8, which made it a criminal offence for churches to hold in-person services.
Father James Bell said: "It is marvellous news, we have been keeping open with online services but it really is not the same as being in person.
"And for this news to come on the Feast of the Annunciation is wonderful, it is like a birthday present."
Father Bell said that social distancing will be in place, and for daily services it will be first come, first served.
But for services over Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, this weekend, there was an online booking system for worship. Father Bell said worship would be held in English and Polish, and numbers in the church would be limited to 48 at a time.
Father Bell continued: "While we were allowed to reopen this weekend anyway it is good news for worshippers everywhere - but the fact we can open today is a blessing."
