No Confirmations will be celebrated in two Shannonside dioceses until at least this autumn.
A statement issued by the Bishops of the six dioceses of the Province of the Archdiocese of Tuam this afternoon, which includes the Dioceses of Elphin and Achonry explains that due to uncertainty around when the country will enter the lower level of Covid precautions, the sacrament will be deferred until after the summer.
The Bishops are also encouraging that schools defer the celebration of Holy Communions until the autumn as well.
The statement, which is signed by Bishop Kevin Doran as well as Bishop Paul Dempsey, also claims that the number of people allowed to attend a funeral should increase to 25 which they feel would give much consolation to grieving families "without compromising safety".
They also express concern that public worship is still excluded even at level three of the government 'Living with Covid' plan.
They also claim that the "fundamental importance of Holy Week and Easter for all Christians, makes the prohibition of public worship particularly painful".
