The Irish Catholic bishops’ have published guidelines to enable the safe reopening of churches for the public celebration of mass on June 29th.
The new Framework Document recommends that pews be cordoned off with one person allowed sit “at the end of each free row while permitting those from the same household to sit together”.
The obligation to attend Sunday Mass and holy days remains dispensed with while Communion should be received in the hand while priests and ministers of the Eucharist wearing a face covering.
Priests and such ministers should “visibly” sanitise their hands before and after distribution of Communion while the procession for Communion may require the assistance of stewards.
Altar servers should help only when all physical distancing requirements are met while the sign of peace “can be omitted” or is offered without physical contact.
In a statement, the Bishops said in all circumstances the safety and health of people, ministers, and priests must be paramount. They added: “No church should be opened for public prayer or worship until satisfactory arrangements, as indicated in this Framework, have been put in place.”
