"Parishes will work diligently to observe the new norms to ensure people can attend Mass safely," said Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Why have churches not been allowed to open for private prayer, when car showrooms and outdoor markets can open tomorrow? asks Cardinal Vin Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.
"It is distressing that more than half of all COVID-19 deaths have occurred in nursing care facilities," said Bishop Michael Router, chairman of the Episcopal Council for Healthcare.
"The pandemic has revealed that ‘faith matters’, not just for faith communities but for wider society,” says Dr Gladys Ganiel.
"We propose that, in addition to wearing face masks, ministers of the Eucharist would wear gloves, so there would be no contact of hands during the distribution of Communion," says Fr Dermot Leycock.
"Will virtual ministry become part of the post-pandemic landscape, and will this be a good move for your church?" ask the Mater Dei research team.
"We have a Christian duty to pray for the dead," says parish priest Fr Peter Byrne.
On the fifth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical letter, Laudato ‘Si, Bishop Mark
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“To not be able to receive communion at this most difficult time is very hard on people," says Fr Kevin McNamara, PP of Moyvane, Co. Kerry.
"The protection of life and the common good are guiding principles as we continue planning for safe and responsible return to Mass and sacraments," said Archbishop Eamon Martin.
COVID-19, the lockdown and social isolation are resulting in more people calling Pieta House for help, says the charity's chief executive Elaine Austin.
"If the Department of Education listens to people on the ground, provides additional resources and puts in place a proper road map we will see a return to school in the Autumn," says Seamus Mulconry.
"Let us not forget the efforts that lie ahead," said Ireland's Church leaders quoting the British prime minister Winston Churchill.
“No prior musical education or training is necessary. However, we are ideally looking for boys and girls who love to sing and enjoy music," says musical director Blánaid Murphy.
But it could also be an opportunity for the new government to learn some lessons about how education could be designed more equitably.
“We desire the opening of our churches and access to the sacraments. Until then, we are continuing to pray and prepare," says Cardinal Vin Nichols and four other archbishops.
It was humbling to visit Simon Armagh to offer our support and to speak and pray with the residents and staff, says Archbishop Martin.
"Vulnerable women in unsatisfactory domestic circumstances are particularly at risk," says Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB.
"The virtual pilgrimage will give us an opportunity to pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Knock for all our intentions. Please God, we will be in a position to visit Knock again in person in the not too distant future," said Archbishop Martin.
"Please continue to pray for all of us and especially for the patients and their families and all staff at the front line," says hospital chaplain Fr Damien O'Reilly.
Thee vast majority of people on this island are working together, in a way that has perhaps never been seen before, says the leaders of Ireland's four main Churches.
"I would not like to be celebrating Mass on my own and I have never had to do it in my 45 years as a priest," says Meath parish priest.
“I am extremely proud of the way the team in Crosscare have responded to the crisis,” said Conor Hickey, director of Crosscare.
"We will come through this, hopefully as better people, strengthened by the experience," says Archbishop of Armagh.
“Although our Church buildings might be closed, Christ our Light is still present and alive in so many ways as our light and hope," say Cork's bishops.
Ireland’s Church leaders are calling on the faithful of all denominations to join in prayer from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. today.
The initiative is in response to the absence of normal Palm Sunday liturgies because of the ban on public communal worship during this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Catholic [...]
"Our fear is that the impact of the pandemic will be most acute for individuals and families already living in poverty," said SVP president Kieran Stafford.
"We may be physically isolated, but we are not separated. We are untited as the body of Christ. We are the Church," says the Assoication of Catholic Priests of Ireland.
"We can look to Mary with confidence and trust in times of sorrow and joy," say the Catholic and Anglican rectors of Wallsingham, England's national Marian shrine.
"Just like those disciples, we too have realised that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this," said Pope Francis.
