The Archbishop of Dublin has written to priests in his archdiocese to tell them that they can proceed with first holy communions and confirmations, despite current public health advice that these ceremonies should not go ahead.
Dermot Farrell is the first archbishop to direct an archdiocese in this way. Last week, some bishops advised their own diocese that they could proceed with sacraments for schoolchildren in August.
In a letter received by nearly 200 parishes in the archdiocese, Archbishop Farrell said they could go ahead with communions and confirmations "if you consider it safe". "It would be prudent to ensure that families confirm their awareness of the public health guidelines regarding household mixing," he wrote.