Ruadhán Jones
In-person Masses are yet to take place in prisons across Ireland, despite the Government reintroducing public worship May 10.
“A date for the resumption of religious services has not yet been set,” Alan Armstrong, press officer for the Irish Prison services said, following a request from The Irish Catholic.
Mr Armstrong said that chaplains continue to work “in all prison establishments, providing spiritual and pastoral support services”, but prisoners and staff may not attend in-person worship.
Guidelines
“Revised guidelines and controls for the safe celebration of religious services have been developed and approved,” he continued.
Resumption
“The Irish Prison Service is currently analysing the resumption of a wide range of services and programmes in prisons, including the resumption of religious services, following the Government’s recent announcements,” Mr Armstrong said.
However, he said “the Irish Prison Service must take account of the risks of Covid transmission in a congregated setting and the fact that most people in custody and most staff working in our prisons are not yet vaccinated”.
The Irish Catholic understands that there is great concern among the prison population and prison chaplains regarding the failure to resume in-person religious services.