For Open Churches and Counselling during Times of Pandemic

The Corona pandemic has found the world unprepared. In order to push back the infection rates, European Governments and the United States have understandably reacted with drastic restrictions for the private, public and economic life. In this context, liturgical gatherings of all denominations, confessions and religions as well as the work of pastors and counsellors have been regarded as dispensable in the sense that they are seen as non-essential.

This petition aims at a revision of this false classification.

We ask the acting General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to initiate a worldwide discussion about the meaning and essence of worship and counselling during times of pandemic. We ask him to plead for the acknowledgement for the opening of churches (taking into account strict safety rules) and for qualified pastoral care as essentially relevant for the emergency care of the general public in all times and under all circumstances.