Local dioceses: How the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting religious services

SEE UPDATE HERE

Public masses have been entirely cancelled in a number of the dioceses in Offaly.
Three of the six dioceses have confirmed that public masses will not go ahead, one has cancelled Sunday masses, and two have said that it may be possible for some parishes to facilitate attendance at Mass while observing the 100 people stipulation.
Further updates may be forthcoming today as the situation evolves.

Diocese of Meath

Dr Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, has instructed priests to say Masses only in private because the church cannot guarantee attendances of fewer than 100 people. The new directive is effective immediately.
The measure is to apply to all churches across the diocese.
Weddings and funerals will still be permitted, but attendance is restricted to family only.

Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin

There will be no public Masses in the Diocese this Sunday, St Patrick’s Day or the following Sunday.
Masses will be celebrated via webcam from a number of parishes in the Diocese. 
Funerals, baptisms & weddings may continue, again adhering to the norms set out below.

Diocese of Killaloe

All public Masses in this diocese, Sundays and weekdays (with the exception of Funeral Masses and the Celebration of Marriage –) are suspended until March 29 or until further notice.
Priests will continue to remember the needs of parishioners at Mass celebrated privately.
The faithful are encouraged to join spiritually in the celebration of Mass, either on parish radio or on web-cam. 
All Confirmations scheduled to take place have been postponed. The re-scheduling of these events will be reviewed after March 29.
Only immediate family should attend the celebration of Baptism. People who might be susceptible to severe reactions to the virus should not attend.
Weddings: The recommendation is that no gathering of more than 100 persons take place indoors. Wedding guests should be limited to the Bridal Party and immediate family. Guests are asked to observe the hygiene protocols and observe social distance while in the Church.
Funerals
Only immediate family and close friends should attend the funeral liturgy, observing the protocols already mentioned. 

Diocese of Ossory 

In the current emergency situation, all are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass. It may be possible for some parishes to facilitate attendance at Mass while still observing the health authority’s limit of 100 people
All non-essential pastoral gatherings and meetings, such as formation gatherings, retreats and seminars are cancelled. 
All Confirmations are postponed until further notice. 
Attendance at Funeral services and Masses should be limited to close relatives and must not exceed 100 attendees within the Church building. Church weddings and baptisms may be celebrated on condition that the attendance in Church does not exceed 100 people. 

Diocese of Clonfert 

Sunday Masses and Weekday Masses (including St Patrick’s Day) in the Diocese of Clonfert will be cancelled until further notice.
After the private celebration of Mass, each day churches throughout the Diocese of Clonfert will open for individual prayer until normal closing times.
Participation in Funeral Masses and Services/Wedding Masses and Services and the Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism are to be limited to close family and friends not exceeding 100 people. 
The celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation/First Confession and First Holy Communion is postponed until further notice.
Confessions and the Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated as requested. 

Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise

All non-essential pastoral gatherings and meetings, such as formation gatherings, retreats and seminars are cancelled. All confirmations are postponed until further notice.

Attendance at Funeral services and Masses should be limited to close relatives and must not exceed 100 attendees within the Church building.
Similarly, Church weddings and baptisms may be celebrated on condition that the attendance in Church does not exceed 100 people. In the current emergency situation, all are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass.