The Catholic archdioceses of Dublin and Tuam have said First Holy Communion and Confirmations can go ahead again despite Government guidelines advising against them. The archbishops join at least six other dioceses giving their priests permission to do so.

Tuam archbishop, Michael Neary told priests last week that First Holy Communions and Confirmations may proceed from mid-August. He said: “It’s important that the guidance and protocols be followed, and that priests would encourage parishioners to take every precaution outside of the ceremony itself”.

Archbishop Dermot Farrell said there has been no engagement from the Government with Church representatives regarding revision of public health guidelines.

He said the grounds for the restrictions appear to be that they may lead to family gatherings, which could breach public health guidelines on household mixing.

“This is perplexing, as no such prohibitions are applied to other events, such as sporting of civic events, or other family occasions, such as the celebration of birthdays and anniversaries, or indeed to weddings or funerals.

“Many have concluded that, in the absence of appropriate justification, these guidelines are discriminatory,” Archbishop Farrell writes.

Yesterday afternoon, he commented on the news that former Minister, Katherine Zappone, held an outdoor event for a large crowd of patrons at a swanky hotel: “You know it’s okay to have a bash in the Merrion Hotel with 50 people present. But yet, it’s not possible for a parent to take their child along to receive the sacrament,” he told RTÉ Radio One.