Catholic Archbishop expresses concern over ‘underestimation’ of Covid-19 in Dublin

The Catholic Archbishop of Ireland has raised concerns about the “underestimation” of Covid-19 in Dublin.

The capital city came under tighter restrictions on Saturday after a surge in the number of cases.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said that the spread of the virus has “reached serious levels” and “constitutes a real risk of a radical increase in infection in the community.”

“In many cases, the increase in number is due to gatherings within homes and communities,” he said.

“That is why the public health authorities are emphasizing the urgent need to reduce the number of contacts that each of us has in this period.

“Reducing contacts requires a specific effort on the part of each of us to deliberately change the number of people we would normally come in contact with.

“This is as important in the current situation as the need for masks, social distancing and hand washing.”

Restrictions in the city and country of Dublin include a limit on public worship.

Archbishop Martin paid tribute to the “extraordinary effort of the parishes” to adapt church buildings and reduce attendance.

“Thank goodness there has been no indication that the virus has spread in worshiping communities,” he said.

However, the current situation has changed and the measures introduced, as sad as they may be, are adequate at this time.

He also warned against “rushing” First Communions and Confirmations.

“I understand the disappointment of the families who were ready for the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation and find them postponed,” he said.

Unfortunately, they cannot take place during the current period. Places of worship must remain closed except for private prayer, as well as limited attendance at funerals and weddings.

“I am also concerned that parishes take initiatives to ‘make first communions and confirmations.’

“The idea that sacramental acts must be performed quickly and can be performed outside of the normal liturgical situation is false. There is no urgent need to celebrate these sacraments just because they fit into the school calendar.

“This would reduce the Eucharist to a commodity. First Communion and Confirmation must be celebrated through personal participation in a liturgical act ”.