Varadkar said the sacraments were “off, unfortunately” during a press conference.
A well-known Catholic priest has said he will defy Tánaiste Leo Varadkar’s instructions on the cancellation of Communions and Confirmations until his Bishop advises otherwise.
Fr Michael Toomey, administrator of the parishes of Ardfinnan, Ballybacon and Grange, and Newcastle/Fourmilewater in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, said he will not be following an “off the cuff” statement Varadkar made yesterday.
When asked during a press conference if parishes could celebrate the sacraments after July 5, Varadkar said: “They’re off, unfortunately.”
Fr Toomey, who regularly hosts the weekday Mass on RTÉ News, said he is still planning to celebrate two Confirmations in his parish next weekend and will continue hold baptisms should families want him to until his Bishop otherwise advises.
https://twitter.com/frmichaeltoomey/status/1409967650097307648?s=20
Speaking to the Independent, he indicated the frustration within Church communities over delays easing COVID-19 restrictions.
“Yet again, we are merely being brushed aside without any consultation and consideration for the sacraments and the lives of so many young people and families,” he said.
“Again, the Government has pushed aside sacramental celebration, many already postponed, despite the Church being opened for Mass and other services.”
Fr Toomey claimed that despite Varadkar’s statement, there was no official guidance surrounding sacraments on government websites or information outlets.
“There was never an instruction to cancel baptisms at any time during the pandemic,” he continued. “Many dioceses and parishes did so on their own initiative and resumed when public worship resumed. Again, these are well controlled and are limited in numbers according to each parish.”
Last week, the HSE asked Bishops to cancel First Communions and Confirmations in the Mid-West region amid Delta variant fears.
