The Association of Catholic Priests has said it would be a "premature and potentially detrimental move" to reopen churches for Easter.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Fr Tim Hazelwood of the Association of Catholic Priests said that given the risk of indoor gatherings, the age of many parishioners and the new variants of the virus, it would "not be wise" to reopen churches for mass and a more cautious approach is needed.
At a virtual meeting with the Taoiseach last Friday, the country's four Catholic Archbishops expressed a strong desire to allow people "gather safely for the important ceremonies of Holy Week and Easter".