Audits will be held to ensure safety of communions and confirmations

It has been a long wait for young people receiving communion or confirmation this year, and just when they thought the big day would finally arrive, they were asked to wait a little bit longer.

Diocesan Secretary Father Donal Kilduff praised the youth of Cavan for their patience and understanding.

“They have prepared so well and when the big day comes, it will be a special day... we’ll all celebrate it and it will be worth celebrating when we do get the opportunity.”

The Government has advised that communions and confirmations do not take place in June, however they can take place in July.

“Hopefully it’s possible to proceed when June is over,” Father Donal said, but also wondered aloud, “what is the difference between June 30 and July 1?”

Each parish in the Diocese will carry out an audit to determine if it is safe to proceed with the celebration. This method will be used as circumstances differ in each area, Father Donal gave the example of the Cathedral which accommodates a large congregation, allowing for easier social distancing. He also pointed out that some parishes may have two children receiving communion while others could have 40.

He raised concerns over schools being closed in July and understands that teachers play a huge role in children receiving sacraments.

“It will be a decision for the schools, the parents, the parish.. they will make that decision locally,” Fr Donal said.

“The possibility is that by July, if Government's advice doesn’t change, the gates are open,” Fr Donal says emphasising that each parish must make the appropriate choice.

He revealed that some areas have already taken the decision to postpone celebrations until September in the hopes that the current “provisional nature” will be more concrete.

“We’ll have a clearer view of how things are,” he said.

He explained that Bishop Martin Hayes, who came to Cavan from Tipperary last September, is eager to step away from the camera front and out into the public to meet members in their parishes.

“He’s very enthusiastic to get out, to meet the people and be pastoral,” Fr Donal said.

He stated that Bishop Hayes would love to attend all communions and confirmations but pointed out that “time restrictions are one thing and Covid restrictions are another”.

Disappointed that the sacraments cannot take place this month as planned, the Bishop wrote to all involved expressing his apologies but also explained, “we cannot be at risk of spreading Covid 19 or its variants”.

“You can’t take risks,” Fr Donal warned, “There's always the possibility of the fourth wave.”