A quarter of priests in the Raphoe diocese in Co Donegal have been forced to “cocoon” themselves under Irish government guidelines.
Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian said arrangements were being put in place to cope with the added pressures being placed on his clergy.
It is understood that 13 of the diocese’s 54 priests are over the age of 70.
They must remain isolated from the public under instructions issued by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Saturday.
In one deanery - one of six administrative areas in the diocese - almost all of the active priests are over the age of 70.
Senior priests, the Vicars Forane of the diocese, are working to co-ordinate cover.
It was also revealed yesterday that all active priests in the county have been issued with personal protective equipment to be used in anointing the sick or for necessary contact with the public.
Raphoe diocesan spokesman Fr Paddy Dunne said it was recommended that priests over the age of 70 did not take on any public ministry and younger priests provided cover.
“We do have an older age group of priests in the diocese and the bishop has been very proactive in putting measures in place,” Fr Dunne said.
Bishop McGuckian, who is originally from Co Antrim, said in a letter to his clergy that it was important social distancing be observed when anointing the sick – a sacrament which is also administered to the dying.
He also advised vulnerable priests to carry out their pastoral ministry remotely.
“This means that only one or two other family members can be present for the anointing and that the visit is limited to a very short period.”
Bishop McGuckian told Highland Radio he was concerned for all older people and those with underlying conditions.
“I see very particularly priests who are older men and very significantly some younger men who have underlying conditions and I’m just so concerned to keep everybody safe,” he said.
He added that Ireland can and will defeat the virus.
