Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Recently, I raised the issue of churches and the celebration of mass being banned as a result of the current lockdown. I strongly disagree with this approach. Like many other people, I see the celebration of mass and the sacraments as an essential service, at the least. Churches have gone to great lengths to ensure that they are safe places in which to congregate and I do not believe any outbreaks of Covid-19 have been associated with attendance at mass. Has the Government discussed this and are there plans in place to reopen churches for public mass? It is not fair to allow up to 100 people into a supermarket at a time, yet the same people cannot congregate in a church while socially distancing. People must be allowed to celebrate mass now. It is important for not only their spiritual health but also their mental health. The celebration of public masses must be deemed an essential service.

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