Faith leaders urge people to get COVID-19 vaccine

The Church of Scotland is encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Rev Dr George Whyte, Principal Clerk of the General Assembly, said it is imperative that people keep themselves and others safe.

He has signed a statement with seven other faith leaders in a show of support for the vaccination programme which could see up to 400,000 people across Scotland given the jag every week by the end of February.

It reads: "We faith leaders in Scotland understand the difficulty that our communities are facing during this pandemic.

"We urge all faith communities to take measures that will ensure their safety and the safety of others.

"Furthermore, we support the COVID-19 vaccination programme across the community and we encourage people to be vaccinated so that they keep themselves and their neighbours safe."

The statement has also been signed by:

• Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops Conference of Scotland
• Rev Dr George Whyte, Principal Clerk, the Church of Scotland
• Imam Hassan Rabbani, Imam of Zia-Ul-Quran Mosque, Muslim Chaplain at Heriot-Watt University, Chair of Scottish Muslim Forum
• Imam Sayed Razawi, Chief Imam - Director General | Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
• Dr Muhammad Rafiq Habib, Convenor, Muslim Council of Scotland
• Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Giffnock & Newlands Hebrew Congregation, Senior Rabbi Of Scotland
• Most Reverend Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness; Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
• Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Advisor Sikhs in Scotland and Chair of Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network
• Rev Dr Fred Drummond, National Director, Evangelical Alliance Scotland
• Rabbi David Rose, Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation
• Allan Forsyth, Baha'i Office of Public Affairs (Scotland)
• Isadora Quay, Baha'i Office of Public Affairs (Scotland)
• Acharya Ji, Priest of Hindu Mandir Glasgow
• Madhu Jain, Hindu Mandir Glasgow
• The Revd Mark Slaney, Chair Scotland District & Shetland District, The Methodist Church in Scotland
• Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Abbot of Kagyu Samye Ling Buddhist Centre
• Revd Paul Whittle, Moderator of The United Reformed Church National Synod of Scotland

Church of Scotland buildings across the country will be used as vaccination centres including Morningside Parish Church in Edinburgh and Dunfermline East Church in Fife.

Vulnerable

The Scottish Government has said it aims to ensure that care home residents, NHS staff and people over-80 by the first week of February.

The over-70 group would be treated by mid-February and over-65 and vulnerable groups by March – a move that would see 1.4 million people given the jag.

Dr Whyte said: "The Church of Scotland is working with the Scottish Government to ensure that local churches continue to be part of the effort to suppress the Coronavirus outbreak by following the advice to stay at home as much as possible.

"We fully accept that the latest pandemic restrictions mean that we have to close churches again for the time being.

"While recognising that communal worship is an essential element of our faith, we also know that the Church remains present and active in our local communities even while buildings are closed.

"We will continue to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that reopening churches will happen as soon as it can be done safely.

Essential support

Dr Whyte said the vast majority of members understand and support the temporary restrictions and people are looking forward to the day when they can meet in person once again.

"In the meantime, we are encouraged by the many church congregations across Scotland who are offering essential support -both spiritual and practical - to their local communities," he added.

*Footnote - this article has been updated to reflect that Evangelical Alliance Scotland has also signed the statement.