Covid-19: Derry priest welcomes moves to reopen NI churches

Churches could reopen for private worship as part of NI’s Covid-19 lockdown exit plan.

Earlier this week, the Stormont Executive announced a phased plan for easing coronavirus restrictions that, for now, keeps the “stay home” message.

The powersharing executive published a five-stage road map that showed a slower, more cautious strategy than Downing Street’s plan for England.

Ministers rejected Boris Johnson’s “stay alert” slogan, which has been widely criticised as confusing, and also decided against setting projected dates for loosening restrictions.

In the first stage, churches will be allowed to open for private prayer and hold drive-through services.

In stage four, a wider range of gatherings will be permitted including church services, subject to social distancing and other suitable mitigations.

Rev. Michael Canny, parish priest in Derry’s Waterside, has welcomed the move on churches.

He said: “For people of the Catholic tradition, the Church or Chapel, as it is often called, is a very special place and is important in their lives.

“As Catholics, we believe Jesus is present in the reserved sacrament of the Eucharist in the Tabernacle. Hence, down the years, people have come to our churches for private prayer so as to spend time in the presence of the Risen Jesus.

“The virus has robbed people of the ability to come to church and receive Jesus in the Eucharist and, for many, this is a cause of great distress and sorrow. To be able to come and spend time in prayer and reflection in the church will, I believe, help to ease that distress and offer hope as we gradually move forward.

“I believe the numbers coming will be easily managed because these people have a sense of personal responsibility and are very aware of their own vulnerability,” added Rev. Canny.

In Northern Ireland, the majority of churches, as elsewhere, have been closed since the beginning of lockdown in March.

Arrangements for funerals currently differ depending on dioceses.

Council-run cemeteries were recently reopened to the public, after an initial disagreement between the parties in the Executive.

In the Republic, meanwhile, as part of its five-stage phased return to normality, from July religious and places of worship, where social distancing can be maintained, will be re-opened.