A Perth minister is in a serious condition in hospital having tested positive for coronavirus following routine surgery, the Perthshire Advertiser understands.
Minister of St John’s Kirk Reverend John Murdoch underwent a successful knee operation last week at Ninewells Hospital.
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It is believed John recovered well enough to leave hospital but had to return into hospital care, where it was confirmed he had contracted the virus.
Reverend Murdoch was set to lead the Remembrance services outside the Kirk in Perth on Sunday.
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However, another minister stepped in his absence, with many of those in attendance being informed of John’s re-admittance to hospital.
Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett said: “I know that there are a lot of people from churches across the whole of Perth praying for John at the present time, for his full recovery and for the staff caring for him at the high dependency unit at Ninewells.”
The popular Perth minister had been conducting virtual congregations since lockdown in the summer, attracting observers from across the globe.
Nationally and internationally people listen in from as far away as Australia, the US, Thailand, New Zealand, Germany, France and Switzerland, to hear John’s services.
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Due to restrictions on attendees, St John’s Kirk remained closed until in-person services and private prayers resumed in mid-September.
The online services which made John popular around the world continued until they were stopped on November 1, as more people returned to the Kirk in person.
