Posted on 03/28/2021 6:20:42 PM PDT by marshmallow
The Government has now insisted that it is an offence punishable by the law for a priest to celebrate public Mass, despite months of assurances that there is no penalty attached.
This stance appears to be at odds with a statement to the Dáil by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in October dismissing concerns around the criminalising of priests and Mass-goers under the Covid-19 regulations.
The Irish Catholic understands that as part of a response to Declan Ganley’s High Court challenging the ban on public worship, the Government has confirmed that the restrictions are penal.
The Government insists that it is an offence for a priest to leave his home to celebrate a public Mass unless this is a funeral or a wedding.
The State also adds that it is a similar offence for a parishioner to leave their home to attend Mass.
This newspaper understands that the Government is adamant that it is unlawful and that penalties therefore apply.
Mr Ganley confirmed to The Irish Catholic on Sunday that the State had replied. However, he insisted that he was not in a position to share the contents of the letter.
“The State was very prompt in their response and I am very grateful for that.
“While I can’t share the specifics at the moment until we’re back in Court [on April 13], the position has not changed and the State has re-iterated that it is unlawful [to hold or attend public Mass] an offence and subject to penalties,” Mr Ganley said.
During a Dáil debate on October 22, Independent TD Michael McNamara insisted that under the legislation “priests will be committing a criminal offence if they open the doors of their churches for Mass”.
“Is the Government going to send gardaí after priests who decide to say mass? If the.......
(Excerpt) Read more at irishcatholic.com ...
Attendance has been dropping in droves for 25-30 years. This will not help things.
Getting pretty blatant about it all.
Ireland needs another Eamon de Valera.
Ironically, there are still a few Irish who were alive during the Easter Rebellion, 105 years ago this month.
This is no surprise since sodomites now rule Ireland.
I think we got the best Irish.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.