Scottish bishops angry about ban in Ireland

Dublin authorities banned mass ceremonies with the participation of believers in an order on 12 April. Only online services are allowed and, under strict conditions, weddings and funerals.

The President of the Scottish Bishops Conference, Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen, said in a statement, “We all know that action must be taken to protect people in an epidemic.” “But the Irish Order criminalizes those who meet to celebrate the Mass. This is really extreme and unfair. “

Irish Prime protests in vain against prohibition

Not only the Irish, but also the Scottish Bishops’ Conference was “upset” about this. Irish Prince Eman Martin met Health Minister Stephen Donal on 19 April to oppose the new order, but to no avail.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (r.) On a visit to Northern Ireland in March

“The thoughts and prayers of the Church in Scotland are with our brothers and sisters in Ireland,” Gilbert said. This is especially true in view of the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St. Columban, who preached from Ireland to Scotland in the 6th century.

“You are not alone, you are always in our prayers”

Columban, but also St. Patrick and the “Celtic Saints” had formed “close spiritual connections” between Ireland and Scotland. He said, according to the Scottish bishop, “It will now comfort our brothers and sisters in Ireland”: “You are not alone, you are always in our prayers.”

The bishops of Scotland are united in their own bishops’ conference. There is also a Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The Irish Bishops’ Conference includes both bishops of the Republic of Ireland and bishops of Northern Ireland, which is politically part of Great Britain.

(Vatican News – sk)