The outgoing Bishop of Ferns has hit out at the closure of churches for daily and weekly religious services.
Bishop Denis Brennan says the country is at odds with the rest of Europe in this situation.
Speaking on South East Radio, Bishop Brennan called on the government to revisit the decision.
He expressed his disappointment that the churches were closed so quickly, something which had already been ordered during phase 3 of the coronavirus restrictions.
Among those who opposed that move was the Irish Council of Civil Liberties.
On Oct 9th, they tweeted: “It’s not often we find ourselves in agreement with the bishops, but we too think socially-distant religious gatherings could go ahead under level 3 restrictions. Government needs to protect our fundamental rights, including freedom of religion, during the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, over the weekend the Oireachtas passed and the President signed into law the legislation creating a criminal offence for breaking the phase 5 restrictions. The prohibited events subject to fines and arrest includes the holding of a public mass.
