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THE GOVERNMENT HAS issued new guidance for places of worship in order for them to safely accommodate more than 50 people at an indoor service, including dividing the premises into subgroupings.
Cabinet has today said it reviewed the guidance, which state that an assessment should be carried out for each premises to determine how many can attend within the requirements of social distancing.
It decided that where the size of the premises allows for a capacity of greater than 50 people – which is the current limit for indoor gatherings – places of worship may exceed that limit subject to certain rules.
The conditions involve adhering to social distancing at all times as well as dividing the premises into distinct sections, cordoned or marked appropriately, of not more than 50 people in each section
Each section should also have its own entrance and exit route as well as having a distance from other sections of four metres.
Premises must be well-ventilated and there should be no movement between sections before, during, or after the service.
The latest guidance comes following criticism from some religious leaders that the indoor gathering limit should not apply to places of worship which can safely accommodate bigger numbers.
The Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin had criticised public health advice which onlyallowed for a maximum of 50 people in attendance at Mass while “large retail outlets [were] brimming with people”.
Days later, the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said an exception would be made to the 50-person limit for mass gatherings in Phase Three for places of worship.
This evening Martin welcomed the latest measures and said he is confident churches will work diligently to adhere to public health guidance.
A statement said that “while these norms do limit a more joyful return to the public celebration of the sacraments people have longed for, they are important steps forward and vital for the common good of all”.
The latest advice for places of worship also notes that account must be taken regarding the risk of congregation by people outside before and after any services, with arrangements to be made allowing for staggered exiting after ceremonies.
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Why is it wrong for churches to want to collect your money but ok for every other sector of society which relies on people añd their money. The GAA, Shops, pubs, Charities etc etc.
@David Clements: It’s not more wrong for this business as for any other. However, they are risking credibility by granting one sector special rights they won’t grant others. That’s all.
@David Clements: because the church is worth multi multi billions
@Tony Gordon: so is Tesco, Ikea et al
@David Clements: eh…..haven’t had a collection plate passed around by the staff too often
@8-Bit-Relic: Special dispensation was also given to the hospitality sector wasn’t it?
@8-Bit-Relic: how are they getting anything special. Why is it okay for a huge church to only be allowed 50 when much smaller shops with people rambling around are allowed much more.
@David Kearney: Well, I assume that the 50 people maximum would still apply for any form of entertainment.
@Michael and yes, I agree with you the 1m rule doesn`t make any sense from a medical point of view. Also here, either allow it all or no one. A service in a church wouldn`t take longer than 105 minutes either.
@8-Bit-Relic: you have described the church as both “entertainment” & a “business”. Your thinly veiled religious intolerance is not half as cool & edgy as you imagine it to be.
So the size of the Church now determines how many can safely attend. It was not rocket science.
It’s all about the money. When I was growing up we were told god is everywhere & therefore you can pray anywhere!
@Colette Kearns:
Church buildings like everywhere else have expenses, like heating, electricity, maintenance and repairs etc. And the Priest has to have an income to live on. Apart from Mass Church’s are needed for a variety of celebrations and occasions. And Catholic’s give their money voluntarily.
There was a time when people had to pray out in the open under the Penal Laws when Catholic’s were forbidden to practice their religion in public. Ever hear of Mass Rocks.
@Colette Kearns: More over, the mass celebration is based on the Jewish mass, and the last supper was above a tavern having wine and food with his friends in celebration.
Religion just moulded it for their own purpose and told you to go to a church!
@Aine O Connor: why can’t they get in touch with the Headquarters of the RCC & let them help the people out, wouldn’t that be the Christian thing to do? After all their worth over 10 billion!
@Colette Kearns: 10 billion for 1 and half billion Catholics about 6 or 7 quid each. Not exactly rolling in it now In reality. Nobody living the high life from it either.
@Colette Kearns: “worth over 10 billion” where are you getting these figures?
So what difference does it make to you anyway. So why comment.
Collection baskets at the ready
@Tony Gordon: That is at least the third time you have made that comment. Nobody has a gun to you or anybody else’s head. Simple, if you do t want to give……..don’t!!
@Michael: Hard to give when I wouldn’t be there anyway. Entitled to comment last time I looked
Imagine 50 people in the Pro Cathedral…. They’d be like peas in a matchbox!
Why doesn’t God put a forcefield around the churches and teleport people to and from their homes? I mean he can, right? Or at least drop Jesus in for a few minutes to give their take on the situation? If you’re thinking “don’t be ridiculous” but you’re one of the people waiting to get back to a church THESE ARE YOUR BELIEFS, NOT MINE!
@Kem Trayle: But did he not create the virus in the first place?
Doesn’t apply to the IRA obviously.
@John Mulligan: Are you really that thick or do you have to work at it?
They aren’t the richest company in the world for no reason!
@AOL: wait till you find out about these things called amazon and facebook. Or another little thing called google. It will blow your mind.
@David Kearney: You are delusional if you believe that
@AOL: that sentence is incorrect in its entirety
Imaging the “staggered exiting” from pubs!!!!
This article fails to give the precise social distancing required or the link to the advice itself. Is it 1 metre, 2 metres or something else?
A skin for trouble
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