The parish of the Holy Family, in East Nottingham, has asked parishioners to stay away from the church if they are not vaccinated.

“If you are not vaccinated and/or won’t wear a mask, please do not come to Mass,” a message in the parish bulletin warned.

The parish policy appears to conflict with directives from the Nottingham diocese, whose spokesman said: “The decision to decline a vaccine should not be a barrier to receiving the sacraments or attending Mass.” On the other hand the diocese referred to civil law, which currently requires masks at indoor gatherings, and indicated that parishes should comply with this law.