McGrath critical of Mass number restriction

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has described the restriction of 50 people in all churches regardless of size as completely daft and says it is further evidence that the governments one size fits all approach needs to be adapted urgently. 

Deputy McGrath called on the government to change their one size fits all approach over two months ago as he said that treating all businesses the same regardless of their size and capacity was illogical. This has continued however with the enforcement of a 50 person limit in all churches regardless of their size or capacity. 

“Many of our churches in our towns and villages can hold a couple of hundred people easily in a normal environment. These parishes have carried out assessments of their size and capacity over the last few weeks and had prepared to set limits to match their capacity in adherence of the public health guidelines, however, these plans have been scuppered by the demand that all churches be restricted to just 50 Mass-goers,” said Deputy McGrath. 

“People’s faith is very important to them and our priests and parishes are to be commended for the manner in which.“One size clearly does not fit all and our churches and other religious institutions must be allowed to set their limits according to their individual capacity or have we returned to Cromwellian times where people of faith are to be banished.  

"The celebration of the mass and Eucharist is very important to people, particularly those who have been bereaved over the last number of months. While the online and television services have been very welcome, they are not a substitute to being able to celebrate the Eucharist and other important sacraments and this decision must be reviewed urgently.”