Ireland: Bishops meet Taoiseach to discuss plan to reopen churches

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

Source: ICBC/ICN

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly, President, Vice President and Secretary of the Irish Episcopal Conference, met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, yesterday to share thoughts on the reopening of places of worship over the course of the coming weeks and months ahead.

The Church shared information on the work that is being done at all levels to develop a national Church plan for the safe reopening and emphasised it will play its part in applying public health measures to ensure the health and safety of its congregation.

The coronavirus lockdown began in Ireland on 12 March. Masses are broadcast on RTE and many churches have been holding on-line Masses and other services - (see link below).

In Galway, at the parish of Kitullagh and Killimordaly, Fr Martin McNamara organised what is believed to be Ireland's first drive-in Mass on Mothers Day - obeying all the rules of social distancing. Special permission was given for the event by the Bishop of Clonfert, Michael Duigan. The event was described by Fr Martin as a 'resounding success' but, he said, no more drive-in Masses are planned.

LINKS

Diocesan and parish webcams in Ireland

Livestream Mass and other liturgies on webcams can accessed on the homepage of www.catholicbishops.ie and on:
www.churchservices.tv/churches/
www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras
www.parishwebsites.ie/