BAPTISMS, holy communions, and confirmations, have been deferred in parishes across the mid west in line with guidance from government and public health doctors in a bid to halt the spread of variants of COVID-19.
The mid west has experienced one of the highest incidence rates in the country, particularly in Limerick, where a local lockdown was mooted last month after daily cases surged.
However, according to latest provisional data from the Department of Public Health Mid West, cases in the Treaty City, and County, have been “significantly reducing” over the two weeks, by that they were monitoring fluctuations in neighbouring county Clare.
While Limerick’s 14-day cumulative incidence rate per 100,000 population declined significantly from 435 on June 4 to 162.6 on June 30, it remains considerably higher than the national average of 100.8, the spokesman said.
“There have been 1750 cases in Limerick since May 21, and while the decline in cases is welcome we would consider the incidence rate 162.6 not to be low, and it is still too high for people to relax or let their guard down, as the virus is still in the community,” they said.
Clare has been identifying single figure daily cases for the past two weeks however numbers more than doubled in a 24-hour period between June 28 and 29, albeit from a low of five cases to 12 cases.
“The incidence rate in Clare is 65.6, and in the past two weeks it has had a total of 78 cases. It is the only county in the mid west seeing an increase, so we are keeping an eye on it,” the spokesman added.
Catholic Church leaders in the region have asked their parishes to defer all religious ceremonies including baptisms, first holy communions and confirmations following an intervention from the Taoiseach.
In a letter yesterday to priests, parents and schools, Archbishop of Cashel-Emily, Kieran O’Reilly, asked that all religious ceremonies be deferred “until it is safe to hold them”.
“I am disappointed to have to convey this decision to you as I know it impacts on many throughout the archdiocese, especially the young members of our church communities preparing for the sacraments, their parents, families, and the school personnel.”
“In the interest of the week being of our communities and society I ask you to abide by the advice we have received.”
The Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has also asked parishes to defer the religious ceremonies until further notice on foot of “communication from the Taoiseach’s department”.
“No ceremonies should be rescheduled until public health advice allows,” advised Bishop Leahy.
He said that this was not anticipated “a number of weeks back when we were requested to defer until after the anticipated post July 5th lifting of restrictions” however, he added, “given that the Taoiseach’s request, based on public health advice, has come so quickly following last week’s recommendation from the HSE in the Mid-West, it is clear that there is really no choice but to take this on board”.
“We should not ignore warnings given about the substantial threat from the Delta variant, if anything, this latest COVID-19 set-back is reminding us all again of our vulnerability,” he added.
The diocese of Killaloe, also located in the region, has been contacted for comment.
