Bishops seek 'modest' increase in numbers allowed at funerals

CONFIRMATION in Mayo parishes has been deferred until the autumn, and the bishops of the six dioceses of the Province of the Archdiocese of Tuam are encouraging parishes to consider doing the same in relation to First Holy Communion.

In a pastoral message, they have also appealed for a 'modest' increase in the number of people who can attend funerals, from 10 to 25.

Dr. Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam, Brendan Kelly, Bishop of Galway, John Fleming, Bishop of Killala, Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, Michael Duignan, Bishop of Clonfert, and Paul Dempsey, Bishop of Achonry, issued a joint message on the the first anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland.

Recognising the need for prudence and caution at the present time, they accepted absolutely that now is not the time for a major reopening of society. However, there were two things in the Covid-19 plan they found very difficult to support.

They set out: 'One of those is the fact that at level 5, all funerals are still limited to 10 people. We believe that a modest increase to 25 would, without compromising safety, bring much consolation to grieving families.

'Our second concern is that public worship is still excluded even at level 3. This would suggest that we may not have the opportunity to celebrate Mass together for months to come.

'It ignores the important contribution of communal worship to the mental and spiritual well-being of people of faith. The fundamental importance of Holy Week and Easter for all Christians makes the prohibition of public worship particularly painful. While, as Christians, we are obliged to obey these regulations, we believe that it is our responsibility as Church leaders to make the case for change.'

The message continued: 'In so far as the government plan currently offers no clarity about when we might expect to return to public sacramental life, we find it difficult to have any confidence that the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation can be celebrated before the end of the present school year.

'As of now, we have decided to defer the Sacrament of Confirmation for the 2021 class until the autumn, and we encourage our parishes to consider doing the same in relation to First Holy Communion. Should the circumstances change for the better, this decision can be revisited in each diocese.

'In the meantime, we encourage young people and their parents to continue with their preparation. We have provided online resources to support what is being done through the religious education programme with the teachers in the schools.'

It added: 'It is important for us to do as much as we can within the current restrictions to provide pastoral and sacramental care to our parishioners. Experience teaches us that with suitable precautions, the individual celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is possible, as is the sacramental care of the sick. These, together with various other pastoral initiatives, can supplement the various online outreaches that have proved so helpful and successful.'