We need to speak out more against the ban on public Masses

Other countries are opting for a more balanced approach to coronavirus, writes David Quinn

At the weekend, the Netherlands played Latvia in a qualifying match for the soccer World Cup. In Ireland, the equivalent game with Luxembourg was devoid of spectators. In the Netherlands, 5,000 were permitted to attend in a stadium that can fit 55,000 people.

Why the difference? Is it because the Netherlands has Covid-19 under better control than we have? That’s not the answer. On the contrary, it has about three times the rate of the Republic.

Other countries, therefore, are generally opting for a more balanced approach, closing down some things while allowing others to take place”

The real reason for the different approach is attitude to risk. Here in Ireland, we have one of the strictest lockdowns in the world and the latest version has lasted since Christmas. We are extremely risk averse.

You might think that is sensible because of the huge spike in cases we had from Christmas and into January. But an indefinite lockdown has all sorts of other damaging effects as well, for example, to mental health, to livelihoods, to cancer and other treatments, to the long-term educational prospects of a generation of young people at first, second and third level.

Other countries, therefore, are generally opting for a more balanced approach, closing down some things while allowing others to take place.

This extends to public worship. Within the EU, only two other countries are currently banning public worship, aside from Ireland, namely Slovakia and Slovenia and that is because they have two of the highest death rates per head of population in the world. Estonia has been added to the list for Easter.

It might be worth looking at a selection of EU countries to see what they are currently doing in terms of restrictions. This will allow us to compare and contrast.

• Spain: ordinary shops, open; restaurants, open; hairdressers, open; public worship, permitted. Current infection rate per 100,000 people: 143.
• France:  ordinary shops, closed; restaurants, closed; hairdressers, open; public worship, permitted. Current infection rate per 100,000 people: 562.
• Italy: ordinary shops, open (but depends on region); restaurants, open (but depends on region); hairdressers, open (but depends on region); public worship, permitted. Current infection rate per 100,000 people: 517.
• Germany: ordinary shops, closed; restaurants, closed; hairdressers, closed; public worship, permitted. Current infection rate per 100,000 people: 195.
• Finland: ordinary shops, open; restaurants, open; hairdressers, open; public worship, permitted. Current infection rate per 100,000 people: 172.
• Netherlands: ordinary shops, open; restaurants, closed; hairdressers, open; public worship, permitted. Current infection rate per 100,000 people: 481.

In each case, when an activity is permitted, limits are put on numbers, hands must be sanitised and social distancing observed. That includes where public worship is permitted.

But as we can see from the above list, while the situation varies country-by-country in terms of whether restaurants, hairdressers or non-essential retail is open, public worship is permitted. This is also the case whether the current infection rate is relatively high, or relatively low.

Now we have it confirmed that it is actually illegal to attend Mass for the first time in centuries”

In other words, while governments, advised by their own versions of NPHET, are coming up with different sets of restrictions, they are all agreed that public worship is safe, so long as the usual protocols are followed.

As mentioned, Slovenia and Slovakia have the excuse of very high death rates to keep public worship closed, although the rate has come down a great deal in Slovenia. Still and all, Slovenia is currently allowing ordinary shops to open, and hairdressers, which might say something about the priorities of the Slovenian government.

The point, of course, is that a decision to open or close something is not a purely scientific question, it is also one of values. What do we value most? Slovenia seems to prefer to open shops and hairdressers than allow public worship, even in a very limited way.

In Ireland, as we come down out of level 5 and go down to level 3, ordinary shops will open again, and you will be allowed to go to a gym, barber or hairdresser, but not to Mass. This shows what our Government and NPHET value. Public worship is far down their list.

Now we have it confirmed that it is actually illegal to attend Mass for the first time in centuries. The Irish Catholic learnt at the weekend, that the Government has advised businessman Declan Ganley of this fact. The law imposing lockdown is open to interpretation, and it was not absolutely clear if the ban on public worship was merely advisory, or had the full force of law.

Mr Ganley has challenged the ban in court, and last week a judge asked the State to say how it interpreted its own law. We now have it from the horse’s mouth, as it were; going to Mass, or saying Mass in public can land you with a fine, and if you refuse to pay, in prison. The same applies to all public worship.

Fr PJ Hughes in Co. Cavan has been allowing members of the public to enter his church when he is saying Mass and he has been issued with a €500 fine which he will not pay. He faces the prospect of prison.

Even if you think it acceptable to halt public worship in level 5, it is another thing for priests to face prison over the matter.

Risk-averse

Some people will be tempted to think the most Christian thing to do under the present circumstances is to be as risk-averse and safe as possible. But if this is so, then why aren’t churches closed all over Europe? If total risk-aversion is the most Christian course of action, then Europe’s bishops would stop public Masses even if the State allows them. But they are not following such a course because it would be so grossly disproportionate.

Catholics need to become far more outspoken about what is happening. It is one thing for the Government to advise religious leaders not to organise public worship, but it is quite another to make it illegal to either organise or attend Mass and other religious worship. It’s time to make our voices heard more clearly.