Churches 'must reopen under Level 3' says Roscommon Senator

Fianna Fáil Senator, and former Roscommon - Galway TD, Eugene Murphy has called for the reopening of churches and other places of worship for regular services under Level 3 of the country's Covid-19 restrictions.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said today that Ireland will move back to Level 3 restrictions from next week, but Senator Murphy said attendance at regular religious services and Masses must be included at this level.

"I have spoken to the Taoiseach in relation to this on numerous occasions," said Senator Murphy.

"Under Level 3 of the Government's Living with Covid-19 strategy, religious services remain online and places of worship are only allowed open for private prayer. Weddings and funerals are allowed to take place with a maximum of 25 people.

"I made the case to the Taoiseach to consider allowing churches and other places of worship to reopen under Level 3 for daily Mass or other daily services, as the numbers would be quite limited.

"Sunday Mass should also be allowed to go ahead with a maximum of 25 people and that is totally achievable as all the social distancing and precautions that were there at Level 2, could be followed.

"Under Level 2 restrictions, churches can open for religious services with protective measures in place for a maximum of 50 worshippers," said Senator Murphy.

The Fianna Fáil Senator went on to say that he had received numerous representations from constituents in relation to this issue, and he had also been contacted by a number of adult children of elderly parents who were missing daily and weekly Mass or other services.

"It's not just the religious element but daily or weekly Mass or other religious services can also act as a vital life link for many elderly people who may be living alone," he said.

He added that religious services should be allowed to go ahead for Christmas, as it was an extremely important occasion on the religious calendar.

"Churches and other places of worship should be allowed to open for Christmas as all the social distancing and precautions that were there at Level 2, could be followed.

"It might be a matter of putting on extra Masses for Christmas, but it is achievable and I believe it's vitally important for people's mental health and wellbeing during the festive period," concluded Senator Murphy.