Bishops push to bring forward resumption of Mass as other countries eye earlier return
CATHOLIC bishops are pushing for an earlier resumption of public Masses than the July 20 date set out in the roadmap for reopening society.
In a letter to priests and parishes in his diocese, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin said a National Framework Document which the Irish Bishops Conference is drafting will be used to support their case to Government and public health authorities.
The document, which Dr Martin said was almost complete, will ask for “the early resumption of the public celebration of Mass and the sacraments”.
Ireland will be one of the last countries in Europe to lift the ban on public worship if the July 20 date is maintained.
Catholic bishops in other European countries have also pressed their governments for an earlier return to collective worship.
In a video message released for Pentecost Sunday, Dr Martin, the Primate of All Ireland, paid tribute to the faithful, who he said were “making great sacrifices to protect life and health and to support the common good”.
He said faith communities’ sacrifices have borne fruit with the number of Covid-19 deaths and ICU admissions continuing to decline, but he also stressed: “We miss meeting up as parish communities.”
His views were echoed by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who told his priests and his parishioners: “As Christians, we suffer through not being able to celebrate our faith through public worship.”
The Archbishop of Dublin said there was “a longing” among believers to be able to return to public worship.
He also hinted that the date that has been set out in the Government roadmap may be brought forward, noting that the roadmap remains under constant evaluation. “It is important that we as a Church are ready to respond to any change in the current proposed timescale,” the archbishop said.
On Monday, the Standing Committee of the Bishops’ Conference met for the first time via video call and agreed a checklist on physical distancing and hygiene.
The document, when it is released in June, will cover areas such as safe physical distancing and good hygiene in churches.
It will also include guidance on the distribution and reception of holy communion, as well as advice for deacons, altar servers, concelebrants, Eucharistic ministers, and others who assist at Mass.
At the beginning of June, the bishops will meet online to consider extending the current suspension of the Sunday obligation, the sign of peace, and the use of holy water fonts.
They will also discuss the celebration of baptism, marriage and confession in the context of any ongoing restrictions.