Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: All public masses suspended in Northern Ireland's Catholic dioceses

The suspension includes `all religious houses where the public may attend and special gatherings of the faithful'
The suspension includes `all religious houses where the public may attend and special gatherings of the faithful' The suspension includes `all religious houses where the public may attend and special gatherings of the faithful'

NO public Masses will be held in Northern Ireland after St Patrick's Day, as the final two dioceses announced the suspension in their parishes.

Down and Connor and Derry have followed Armagh, Dromore and Clogher and Kilmore to lift the obligation to attend Mass at church on Sundays and Holy Days.

The suspension includes "all religious houses where the public may attend and special gatherings of the faithful".

Where possible parishes will try to allow participation via radio, TV, and web streaming, with information to be shared on diocesan websites and through parish social media.

Celebration of Confirmation, First Confession and First Holy Communion have already been suspended until further notice, but weddings continue to be celebrated "until further notice", with couples encouraged to limit those attending to immediate family and loved ones.

Funerals will also continue at present, with bereaved families also asked to restrict attendees to close family and loved ones only.

Much of the south has already suspended public masses, with some understood to be still continuing in tiny parishes where congregation numbers are low.

In a pastoral letter for the Feast of St Patrick Bishop Noel Treanor said he knows people "are fearful and anxious" and "worrying about your personal health and the welfare of loved ones".

He urged prayers for "our civic leaders as they face indefinable challenges" who "are entrusted with giving courageous direction in addressing the current health situation" and for "scientists and health-care workers; doctors, pharmacists, nurses, all working in hospitals and health administration, hospital chaplains, counsellors, administrators and volunteers".