Two of the country’s senior Catholic bishops have warned parents their children’s first communions and confirmations may have to be postponed next year due to the continuing uncertainty caused by Covid-19.

It comes as many children who were due to take the sacraments this year have still been unable to do so.

In a letter to parishes, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin revealed that due to the ongoing threat of the virus, “all sacraments might have to be postponed until it is safe to proceed”.

He warned it may not be possible to complete the full 2021 schedule of sacraments until 2022.

Meanwhile, Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin has also written to parents and schools advising them not to set dates for sacramental ceremonies in 2021 in order to avoid “uncertainty and rescheduling”.