10-person limit at funerals 'causing untold grief' say Bishops

The four Catholic Archbishops of Ireland have called for the current 10-person limit on attending funerals to be increased immediately, saying it was causing "untold grief" to many families who had lost loved ones.

In a joint statement this week, the Archbishops also said they were disappointed Taoiseach Micheál Martin had not yet responded to any of the issues they had raised with him at a meeting on February 19 last.

"We strongly believe that people's freedom to worship publicly should be restored as soon as the current Level 5 restrictions begin to be eased," said the statement from the Church leaders.

"It is particularly painful for Christians to be deprived, for the second year running, of the public expression of our faith during the most sacred time of Holy Week and Easter.

"This is especially true given that it has been clearly demonstrated that church buildings are among the safest places for people to gather."

They said it was accepted that "strong restrictions are necessary in times of grave threat to public health," but added that the restrictions needed to be "proportionate" and should take into account people's "mental, spiritual and emotional" wellbeing.

"For people of faith, gathering for worship is fundamental to their identity and to their spiritual lives," said the Archbishops.

"Despite assurances from the Taoiseach last month that the concerns expressed by the Archbishops would be given serious consideration, we note with disappointment that none of the issues raised has been responded to."

They said they were now urgently appealing to the Government to ensure that public worship would be allowed to resume, "in a safe and limited way" as soon as the Level 5 restrictions start to be eased.

"For people of faith not to be free to worship until regulations return to Level 2, whilst many other restrictions are eased, is seen as particularly distressing and unjust," they said.

In addition, they said the number of people permitted at funeral services should be increased with immediate effect, and noted that in Northern Ireland this number has not been reduced below 25.

"The current restriction places immense burdens on grieving families, compounding the pain of their loss," they stated.

"We strongly believe that allowing these measures would contribute greatly to giving a sense of hope and consolation to many in our Church - in line with the central message of Easter.

"These measures would be a substantial support to the wellbeing of individuals and parish communities, and ultimately serve the Common Good of all."

The Archbishops encouraged Catholics to make their views on these issues known to their own TDs and local representatives.