As the district and the country face an unprecedented public health challenge, The Very Reverend, John Dobson, has written this message to the people of the Harrogate District:

The coronavirus is having an incredible impact on the global community. We hear unprecedented accounts of an entire European country being in lock down. Our hearts go out for those who have died and to all affected. The threat to health and life has been matched by that to the economy, stock markets have tumbled, and our new chancellor has made massive financial provisions.  

The church is not exempt from this huge challenge. As an organisation that brings people together in fellowship as well as worship and prayer, the need for some to be isolated seems counter cultural.  At Ripon Cathedral, like many hospitality businesses and events venues, we are having to plan and make contingencies. The possibility of organisations cancelling their events with us is as disturbing for us as for them.   

The cathedral has an even more significant dimension to its mission; the need for spiritual reassurance and encouragement becomes even more obvious as our natural routine and sense of security are undermined. This is why we are taking all possible precautions to enable people to gather for worship in a way that is safe and responsible. We have the advantage of space! It is also interesting to observe how many people are choosing to come privately into the cathedral – open every day of the year – to light candles and pray.  



This time of national concern reminds me of the 2008 financial crash and the government’s bailout of the banks. I happened to be in the gallery of the House of Commons to hear the then Prime Minster, Gordon Brown, announce the unprecedented £150billion provision. No one knew what state the world’s economy would be in by the end of the week. Sitting in that mother of parliaments, I couldn’t help reflecting that it had seen many historic decisions over the centuries.   

At the end of the afternoon, I attended evensong in Westminster Abbey. Every stone seemed to bear witness to the message of God’s utter reliability in the long history of our country, with all its ups and downs. It seemed to put the problems of the day into perspective. Ripon Cathedral, whose 7th century crypt is the oldest built fabric of all English cathedrals, does the same. And it continues to encourage us all to trust in God and look out for our neighbour. That is a message particularly relevant today.