A number of Catholic Bishops are going against public health advice by allowing First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies in the coming days and weeks, despite protestations from the Taoiseach, and the Minister for Health.
The Bishops of Elphin, Clogher, Waterford and Lismore, Meath and Raphoe have announced plans to offer the sacraments to children and families who wish to take part.
Writing in the Irish Independent, Bishop Kevin Doran said, “The mission of the Church cannot be put on hold indefinitely”.
Dublin parish priest, Fr Joe McDonald, has called on the rest of the country’s Catholic bishops to follow suit.
“We can no longer accept a fob-off from a Government who either don’t respect or don’t understand the problem of deferring liturgical life indefinitely,” he said.
“Is it too much to expect that a bishop could toss the table like Jesus in the temple and if you are not going to toss the table at least thump it. For God’s sake – speak up,” he added.
However, the move was criticised by a number of members of the Association of Catholic Priests.
