There has been anger across the political spectrum in response to the cancellation of confirmations, communions and baptisms.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar revealed that the services were to be banned in response to a question during a press conference early last week.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD stated that his office has been “inundated” with calls and from families who learned that Confirmation, First Communion and Baptism have been cancelled by the Government.
Angry
“People are angry for a number of reasons. These are really significant events in the lives of children and families. Freedom of Religion is a fundamental human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Mr Tóibín said in a statement, continuing, “For those rights to be cancelled in such a glib manner by the Government is incredible.”
The “on, off, on, off” of the restrictions over the last year is creating “deep frustration”, Mr Tóibín said, calling on Government to end the confusion and reverse the decision “immediately”.
The Rural Independents described the ban on the sacraments as “inhumane” and also called for an immediate reversal of the decision.
Deputy Mattie McGrath said it has now become clear that the decision to ban “planned” sacraments, such as First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Baptism for the foreseeable future, “has been taken by the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Government and not recommended by NPHET”.
The decision to ban children’s sacraments over the summer months is a “hammer blow to parents and children”, Mr McGrath said, “who have been waiting, preparing and excited about the prospect of celebrating the various ceremonies”.
The ongoing “uncertainty, lack of clarity and spin” is having a “dangerous” impact on youth mental health, he said.
Clare TD Michael McNamara said there doesn’t seem to be “any consciousness of the Constitution” in the Government’s dealings.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mr McNamara said that to announce that the sacraments are to be cancelled “as though they had the power under the Constitution to do that” is “worrying, but less and less surprising”. “We’re on a very slippery slope generally in society with regard to who’s running the country, democratic accountability and rule of law,” he said.