Churchgoers weary of restrictions as they miss out on Masses this Easter, bishop says

A bishop has called for “proper consultation” on public worship as churches remain closed for Easter.

In a statement, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore said worshippers’ patience was fraying.

Under current Covid restrictions religious services cannot take place, although ten people can attend a funeral. This will be raised to 25 later in April under the roadmap unveiled this week although worship is still banned.

One Catholic priest in Cavan has repeatedly held services and has already been €500 for breaches.

"I must speak out to represent the voices of a very large cohort of people who are growing increasingly weary of being unable to attend Mass and whose spiritual and mental wellbeing is being eroded,” Bishop Cullinan said.

"Their patience is wearing thin. They are frustrated and feel unrepresented and discriminated against.”

He added that when he celebrates Mass each Sunday in the Cathedral he does so behind closed doors.

“I am very conscious of those faithful barred from attending and yet within a few steps of our Cathedral, people can go to shops for essential things - to their pharmacy to get medicine, to their supermarket to get food and even to a café for an out-door coffee,” Bishop Cullinan said.

"Yet they cannot receive Holy Communion in their church which is spacious and can accommodate dozens of people safely.

“It is very difficult to explain to people why they are banned from public worship bearing in mind also that Ireland is one of the tiny few countries in Europe where public worship is not allowed.

"Across the country, priests and parish volunteers have been very diligent in ensuring that our churches are sanitized and safe. I do not believe that it is an either/or situation. It is not that we must stop public worship to safeguard physical health. We can do both. We must safeguard people’s health AND support their spiritual wellbeing.”

The bishop said he felt the spiritual well-being of people has not been given any serious attention by the authorities.

"To say that ‘services go online’ is very hard to take and feels dismissive,” he said.

“I sympathise with the governmental authorities at this very difficult time, but appeal to them to take into consideration the spiritual care of hundreds of thousands of Catholics and many people of other faiths who wish to exercise their rights as guaranteed by our constitution.”

Online Editors