Boris Johnson urges Britons to be vaccinated, citing Scripture
Boris Johnson in his Christmas message urges Britons to get vaccinated. Photo: Guardian News YouTube video screenshot
In a video message, filmed in front of a Christmas tree in Downing Street, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged his compatriots to receive a booster vaccine against the coronavirus as a token of the love for neighbour that Jesus Christ teaches, repots “The Guardian”. “That, after all, is the teaching of Jesus Christ, whose birth is at the heart of this enormous festival – that we should love our neighbours as we love ourselves,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that it is too early to talk about the end of the pandemic, but many Britons could celebrate Christmas this year with more family members than last. "... this year you need a bigger turkey," Johnson joked.
On the eve of Christmas, there were fears the government might impose limits on socialising over the festive period in a bid to slow the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, but ministers decided to wait and monitor the data.
In 2020, some parts of the country, including London, the home counties and the east of England, were placed under tier 4 restrictions just days before Christmas that meant a “stay at home” order was in place. Elsewhere, up to three households could gather, but only for a single day. This year, some regions will continue to vaccinate against COVID-19 even on Christmas Day.
Boris Johnson was baptized as a Catholic but rarely discusses his faith. From the biography of the politician, it is known that while studying at Eton, he converted to Anglicanism. Therefore, his wedding this spring in the Catholic Cathedral of Westminster caused bewilderment among his compatriots.
As reported, the BBC analyzed why the Church of England is losing parishioners.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.