Bishop Michael Maxwell advised Anglican churches in Barbados to remain closed on Sunday in the face of the heavy ash fall from the La Soufriere volcano currently affecting the island.
Maxwell said he took into account the health and safety of church members in his decision to order the closure of the churches.
“In light of the heavy inflow and deposit of ash within our island from the volcanic eruption in St Vincent, that when exposed to and inhaled can be hazardous to our health, please be informed that our churches are to be closed for in-person worship tomorrow, April 11, 2021,” he said in a notice sent to priests around the island.
“Sorry for this late notification, but it is evident now that conditions are not improving and are unlikely to change within the next 24 hours, as La Soufriere continues to erupt and release large plumes of ash our way.
“Please endeavour to inform your congregants of this closure and be encouraged to offer a short service/devotion tomorrow via a virtual platform, if that is possible.”
There are 52 churches in the Anglican diocese of Barbados.
Churches across Barbados were closed to in-person worship or numbers were severely restricted by COVID-19 protocols during the last lockdown and it was only recently the most stringent guidelines were lifted by Government. (AR)
