Minister disappointed after council scraps prayers

A church minister said he was disappointed by a council's decision to scrap prayers before meetings.

The Reverend Peter Crumpler from St Paul's Church in St Albans said the decision was "a shame".

St Albans City and District Council voted to go ahead with the move last month.

Liberal Democrat Sinead Howland, who proposed the motion, has said it meant no councillor would "feel like an outsider in their own chamber".

Mr Crumpler said he was "very disappointed", as the prayers said in meetings had not always been Christian.

"This isn't a decision taken against the Christian community, it's a decision to make the council meetings no-go areas for religion," said Mr Crumpler, speaking to the BBC Three Counties Radio on Sunday.

"Although many people in St Albans would have a faith, and many people in St Albans would be sympathetic to faith, the council is saying 'No, we want no overt space for this in our council meetings', and I think that's a shame."

Like many councils across England, St Albans has had a tradition of inviting a local religious leader - often the mayor's chaplain - to say prayers before meetings of the full council.

A motion was brought to council to cease the practice and allow for a minute's silence to be held instead, for those councillors who wished to reflect before making decisions.

Twenty-five members agreed and 20 voted against.

Howland said: "It ensures that our council meetings mirror the diversity of our community, allowing no councillor to feel like an outsider in their own chamber.

"Numerous councils have already implemented this change, recognising the necessity for a neutral and professional environment where all members can begin their work on equal footing."

The National Secular Society said: "We congratulate the council on its decision to remove prayers from the beginning of meetings, to ensure no-one in attendance feels alienated or excluded.

"The motion allows the council to hold a moment of silence instead, offering everyone the chance to pray or reflect silently if they wish.

"We urge all councils across the country which still hold prayers to take heed and follow St Albans's example."

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