Anger as priest is ‘pressured’ into holding wedding at Welsh Catholic church during lockdown

A Catholic priest was allegedly ‘pressured’ into holding a wedding for a young couple at a Welsh church amid lockdown, with one guest saying ‘coronavirus won’t stop us having a party’.

Father Sebastian Jones performed a wedding service for a young couple at St Alban-on-the-Moors in Splott, Cardiff on May 12, after the parents ‘insisted that it take place immediately’.

Archbishop of Cardiff George Stack confirmed the wedding service took place and said Father Jones was put ‘under a lot of pressure’ to perform the banned ceremony, to which he ‘caved in’, WalesOnline reported.

A wedding was held at a church in Wales despite lockdown restrictions after a Catholic priest was allegedly ‘pressured’ into holding the ceremony

Images of the wedding were shared on Facebook showing at least ten people, including children, posing for photographs (pictured)

This comes after images of the wedding were shared on Facebook showing at least ten people, including children, in what seems to be the Cardiff church. 

A Facebook live video also showed guests offering congratulations to the happy couple and dancing to loud music.

One man is even heard saying: ‘F*** the coronavirus. It won’t stop us having a party.’ 

Archbishop Stack was ‘shocked and upset’ that the wedding took place without his prior knowledge.

The incident, which breached coronavirus lockdown measures, is under investigation by the church. 

All weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies were banned when lockdown began on March 23. 

Archbishop Stack said he has spoken with Father Jones, who said he was ‘worried about the girl’s health and safety’ and wellbeing.

Archbishop Stack said: ‘I share, in a way, the priest’s dilemma but it was not the right thing to do, to succumb to that pressure.’ 

Archbishop of Cardiff George Stack (pictured) confirmed the wedding service took place and said Father Jones was put ‘under a lot of pressure’ to perform the banned ceremony

Father Sebastian Jones performed a wedding service for a young couple at St Alban-on-the-Moors (pictured) in Splott, Cardiff on May 12

He said it could be a disciplinary matter, where the priest would have to put forward his defence.

Father Jones’s superior Father Ignatius Harrison told WalesOnline the priest has been ‘diligent’ in his pastoral care throughout his time in the parish.  

Police are also investigating reports of a ‘wedding party’ that happened on the same day at a Rembrandt Way property in St Julians, Newport. 

Ronald Connors confirmed to WalesOnline that he owns the home, but denied hosting a wedding party.

He said he has only held ‘a few barbecues’ with his family, who ‘live on the site’, and insisted he hadn’t ‘got a clue’ about the wedding ceremony.

Gwent Police Inspector Martin Cawley said officers attended the address after reports of a disturbance between 10pm and 10.15pm and were told that all present were residing at the property.

The residents were advised about social distancing regulations and officers continued to investigate, as they were unable to identify who lived at the home.

Police have since determined who resides at the property and will take action if it is deemed a breach occurred.

The matter is being investigated by the church (interior pictured) and Archbishop Stack said it could be a disciplinary matter

At the time, the government prohibited all public gatherings of more than two people – with the exception of funerals.

In Wales, people were only allowed to leave their homes for exercise, essential travel and other basic necessities. 

Couples have had pre-booked wedding ceremonies cancelled or postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic, with many opting to hold virtual wedding ceremonies on video conferencing apps instead.

Catholic churches within all 22 dioceses of England and Wales were instructed to close in line with the UK and Welsh Government guidance.  

Coronavirus restrictions in Wales have been relaxed this month so people from two different households can meet each other outdoors, maintaining two-metre social distancing. 

Churches will be allowed to reopen for private prayer from June 15 and indoor weddings with up to 10 guests may also be granted from early July. 

Boris Johnson also wants to change the law to allow people to hold wedding ceremonies outside, the Sunday Times reported.   

Wales has reported 14,396 cases of coronavirus and 1,398 deaths, according to Public Health Wales official figures.