The closure of Catholic churches during the 2020 lockdown contributed to widespread mental and physical suffering, according to the results of a new study.
The survey carried out by the Catholic Union found 62 per cent of people reporting that their mental and physical wellbeing were adversely effected directly as a result of not being able to go to church.
The poll of 1,000 Catholics also found that 90 per cent believe places of worship should be treated as “essential” services alongside food shops and healthcare facilities in any future pandemic, meaning they would not be forced to close.
