The Taoiseach has said that the easing of Covid restrictions in May might include a lifting of the blanket ban on public worship, one of only two in Europe.
This reiterates the Government’s plan announced on March 30th.
The Taoiseach made his remarks to media after a cabinet meeting yesterday, to the Dáil, and in a letter to church leaders. The Government’s decision will however be subject to the advice of NPHET.
While giving no date for the move, Micheal Martin said a more detailed plan would be published next week.
In a statement last Sunday, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin said he considered a recent statutory instrument confirming religious gatherings are a criminal offence to be “formally enacting a potential infringement of religious freedom and of constitutional rights”, and he called for its “suspension”.
In a meeting with the Health Minister Monday, he called for the pastoral work of priests and religious ministers to be deemed essential.
