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The leaders of the Catholic Church are awaiting a response from the Government to their request for a meeting to discuss the effects that the latest Covid-19 restrictions are having on their parishioners.
Under Level 3 rules, members of all faiths cannot attend religious services in person.
Instead, they can be streamed online, while attendance at funerals and weddings is strictly limited.
However, the four Catholic archbishops have written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin to request a meeting to discuss this rule, expressing concern about the impact on churchgoers.
If the meeting continues, it would be the first of its kind since before the abortion referendum in 2018.
The Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council said today that all congregational prayers have been suspended. Everyone is asked to strictly follow the guidelines.
However, in a statement to RTÉ News, the council said the decision “will have a severe impact on our society, particularly our economic recovery and the mental well-being of the people living in Ireland.”
He also said the effect of being deprived of the opportunity to collectively worship people of faith “cannot be underestimated.”
The Church of Ireland said that all parishes have been advised to follow public health guidelines.
“Many parishes and dioceses provide online services in situations where there are currently no meetings for religious services.
“The church also publishes lists of streaming services to assist parishioners who may not be familiar with or not comfortable with an online service,” a spokesperson told RTÉ News in a statement.
In Northern Ireland, rules currently allow church services to continue in person, with safeguards in place like face covering, hand sanitizers and social distancing.
Many in the Catholic Church hope that the rules can be relaxed to allow limited attendance at regular Masses.
Ardfinnan Co Tipperary Pastor Fr. Michael Toomey said today that large churches allow for social distancing to occur, while volunteers clean and disinfect interiors on an ongoing basis.
“It’s probably one of the safest places for people to gather,” he told RTÉ News.
“People need to be able to go to Mass. It is not just a social gathering, it is part of our faith, it is part of our heritage and it is also a vital support for mental health.”
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