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"After considerable discussion, the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's have decided to close the Cathedral outside regular times of worship in sympathy with the cause of the Occupy camp in Paternoster Square.  We believe the issues raised through this protest warrant serious national attention, and will be rostering members of the Chapter to sit with the protesters through the day and night as an act of solidarity and support.  Many volunteers and members of the Cathedral staff have expressed their willingness to join in this act of solidarity.

The decision to close the Cathedral is a serious one, which Chapter takes with a heavy heart.  Closure of a cathedral is regrettable under all but the most extreme circumstances, such as the day in 1940 when a time-delayed bomb was dropped in the Cathedral by the German Luftwaffe.  The devastation to human lives wrought by recent crises is of such a magnitude that Chapter is unanimous in taking this decision.

The Chapter has received strong advice about compliance concerns in the camp.  Naturally, St Paul's will do all it can to assist the Occupy coordinators to fulfill their obligations in this regard.

The Dean and Chapter of St Paul's invites all who remain concerned about the endemic problems in international finance to support the Occupy initiative by visiting the camp.  We look forward to meeting you there."