THE Catholic Archbishop of Dublin has urged parish priests to postpone first communions and confirmations for another month.
At a Cabinet Committee meeting on Friday, politicians outlined plans to allow such ceremonies take place again from September.
Dermot Farrell, speaking at a ceremony in Dublin, said the Church fully supported pubic health measures.
“In the light of the Government’s statement yesterday, I have renewed my advice to parishes to postpone the celebration of the sacraments until September,” he said.
“I can understand, however, the frustration and the resentment of those who feel that the public guidelines are unfair and discriminatory.”
Archbishop Farrell said he wanted to see the resumption of some ‘positive engagement’ between public authorities and the Church.
He added: “Families and communities have been perplexed, as am I, that of all of the types of events which might give rise to mingling between households, it is uniquely these sacraments which are prohibited under public guidelines.
“In all other aspects of life, whether family celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries, or fans gathering to watch sporting events, or indeed after weddings and funerals, people are trusted and expected to observe the guidelines on household mixing.
“Households are permitted to mix, in homes and in restaurants, in ways that take account of the age and vaccination status of those present.
“I find it difficult to explain, or justify, that it is only parents of children receiving the sacraments who cannot be trusted to observe these guidelines.”