Dublin archdiocese prepares for new restrictions

The archdiocese of Dublin has released a preliminary statement in anticipation of a new set of restrictions in the capital city. Dublin will be the only capital city in Europe not permitting public worship currently.

The statement says it now seems most likely that the entire County Dublin will be placed on Level 3 of the Governments COVID-19 Resilience and National Recovery Plan, beginning at midnight tonight for a three-week period.

“It is likely therefore that places of worship will remain closed from midnight tonight, except for private prayer, weddings and funerals.  Attendance at wedding liturgies and funerals would be limited to 25. Religious services can be transited online with no public presence”.

It adds that effectively this places Churches in the position they were before the reopening earlier this summer, or as the situation was in counties Kildare and Laois early this month.

“Confirmation and First Communion services will therefore not be possible during this period and will have to be postponed. Permission already granted for Confirmations remain valid for the new date”.