Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne
Bishops have expressed their disappointment and frustration with the ‘political’ decision to ban sacraments, despite assurances from State officials that places of worship continue to be safe.
Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin Diocese told The Irish Catholic that the announcement came “completely out of the blue” and that it has caused upset and confusion for many people.
“A lot of people were ringing into the office, to know what this was all about,” Bishop Doran said.
He believes the focus should be on regulating the unregulated gatherings, that take place away from the churches.
The diocese of Elphin had chosen not to hold the sacraments of First Communion or Confirmation until mid-August, but Bishop Doran said he sees “no reason now or later, while public worship is permitted, to be excluding certain aspects of public worship”.
He said he was surprised that baptisms were included in the ban as they were never “on the agenda of any Government announcements until they popped up in May”.
“As far as I’m concerned that’s simply not going to happen. Baptisms in this diocese under our own guidelines are restricted to a maximum of ten people. That’s one fifth of the number that’s allowed for religious services. So no, we’re not going to cancel baptisms,” Bishop Doran said.
Political
Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan said this is a “political decision” that was made without consultation with Church authorities.
“I remain troubled that any Government or Government minister can cancel the celebration of religious worship or the sacraments while, crucially, saying at the same time that what happens within a church is safe. This goes to the heart of freedom of worship,” he said in a statement last Thursday.
Bishop Deenihan described the Government’s decision as a “source of much disappointment to the young people who have been preparing for and looking forward to the various ceremonies.
“It is a source of disappointment to their parents, teachers and clergy too who have been involved in preparing them for an important moment in their faith. The proximity of the cancellation to the actual ceremony, which was based on previous Government advice, means that parents have days off planned and other expenses have been incurred.”
The sacrament of Baptism will continue in the diocese of Meath subject to the “pastoral judgement” of the local clergy, minimum numbers and public health precautions, Bishop Deenihan said, while First Communion and Confirmation will take place “as soon as possible”.
