Churches adopting cautious approach ahead of Lent

PREPARATIONS are being made in many local churches for what is hoped will be, at least, a partial return to the normal distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday next week.

Lent begins on March 2, but many churches are still set to adopt a cautious approach following the easing of restrictions by the Stormont Assembly.

The Irish Catholic bishops have discussed the implications associated with the lifting of most of the restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, has written to parishes, including those in Tyrone, and asked them to undertake risk assessments to ascertain what they are comfortable with.

However, the wearing of face coverings inside church buildings, sanitising and cleaning arrangements, and the suspension of a handshake as a sign of peace, all continue to be in place. Other measures continuing are that Holy Communion should be received in the hand, and that holy water is not placed in fonts at communal entrances to church buildings.

Fr Declan McGeehan, curate in Cappagh Parish, told the UlsterHerald that the easing of restrictions represented another step forward, but that people are taking things cautiously.

“We have to be aware that some people are still uncomfortable and continue to take precautions,” he said. “At the moment, we have no finalised arrangements for Ash Wednesday. This is the second year running that there may be restrictions on the distribution of ashes, but we will have to wait and see.

“Until the Bishops Conference meets early next month, it is up to each individual parish to adopt and approach that suits them best.”

The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev John McDowell, in a joint message with the Archbishop of Dublin, said that risk assessments would continue to be a feature of parish life and that both clergy and lay people will need to make many judgements about how exactly and at what pace they move into greater freedoms.

“At the same time, there is a new sense of hope. There is an appropriateness in making this cautious journey through Lent and into Easter.”