Government parties CDA, ChristenUnie and D66 have little understanding for the church services in Staphorst in Overijssel, where six hundred people without masks came together on Sunday. Minister Ferd Grapperhaus (Justice) says on Monday that he will enter into talks with the Inter-Church Contact in Government Affairs about the corona measures.
Three church services took place on Sunday at the Restored Reformed Church in Staphorst, where six hundred people were present without a mask.
Officially, the church is not violating corona measures. Since Tuesday, the government has adjusted the maximum group size for meetings to thirty, but religious meetings are exempt from the measure.
Gert-Jan Segers of the ChristenUnie believes that the church in Staphorst “does not set a good example, as other churches do”. According to Segers, other churches are able to hold responsible church services with fewer people.
CDA MP Chris van Dam also mentions that most churches handle the corona measures sensibly. “It is a pity that this denomination does not set that example,” said Van Dam. “Even with the necessary restrictions, in these difficult times justice can be done to the fundamental right of religious freedom.”
D66 leader Rob Jetten calls the church meeting in Staphorst incomprehensible. “Let Minister Grapperhaus – responsible for church services – conduct a penetrating conversation in Staphorst as soon as possible,” said Jetten.
Grapperhaus Monday in consultation with churches
Because of the criticism of the church service in Staphorst, Grapperhaus has announced on Monday that it will enter into consultation with the Inter-Church Contact in Government Affairs about the corona measures. “Freedom of religion is a great good, but we must do it together,” said the minister of justice.
The umbrella organization GGD GHOR hopes that no exception will be made for the church regarding the corona measures. “There are clear guidelines everywhere, whether it is a church service, a sports field, or on the work floor. It’s very easy: stick to the guidelines,” said a spokesman for the GGD Ghor.
Church and mayor see no problems
According to the church itself, the service could take place without any problems. “We have good extraction here and everyone is really at a good distance,” says the secretary of the church The Stentor.
“We see to it that everyone disinfects their hands upon arrival and we guide people to their place. Previously, you regularly heard people coughing during the service, but that is no longer the case. People stay at home if they have complaints.”
The mayor of Staphorst, Gerrit Jan Kok, also saw no reason to intervene. “We have seen in recent months that everything at the churches is going well and people are following the rules,” he told the regional newspaper.
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