Diarmuid Martin writes to priests of the Dublin diocese.

This is a letter sent from the Archbishop of Dublin to priests in the diocese.

English is intriguing. Isn't it the rule that all proper nouns begin with an upper case letter and all common nouns begin with a lower case letter, unless at the beginning of a sentence?

Why upper case bishops, churches. Is it something to do with giving importance to something or someone? Provincials do it too as do some priors and bursars. Something pathetic about it. And certainly breaking the rules of English.

Then again, so often is doctor and manager spelt with upper case while plumber is always lower case. And then there's professor.

It tells its own story.

Mass is an interesting word. Is it a proper or common noun?

Why uppercase church but not graveyard? And how could weekdays be ever spelt with an upper case 'w'?

A funny old world.

Diarmuid Martin's letter is helpful and informative.

IMPORTANT LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP DIARMUID MARTIN ON CORONAVIRUS  SPECIAL MEASURES

Dear Father,

Please read carefully the advice (below) issued this afternoon Thursday 12 March by the Irish Bishops.

Whereas I realise that many of these restrictive measures will make pastoral life more difficult, we have to remember that as a society we have a duty of care to protect ourselves and above all to protect others.

Ø All Confirmations are postponed until further notice.  This applies with immediate effect.

Ø Are Masses cancelled?   Not absolutely.  Where normal attendance on Sundays or Weekdays is less than 100, there is no reason not to hold public Mass.  Mass with limited congregations can be celebrated to permit participation by web-cam.  Pope Francis does this himself every morning. Attention can be drawn for those who cannot attend Mass to the traditional practice of Spiritual Communion. 

Ø In the current emergency, all are dispensed from the obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass.

Ø Funerals: Funeral Masses can be celebrated but limited to close relatives or friends with at most 100 people inside the Church.  Larger gatherings of up to 500 could take place outside after Mass or at a graveyard. 

Ø Similarly Church Weddings and Baptisms can take place on condition that attendance does not exceed 100 people inside the Church.

Ø Within Churches it is necessary that people observe a distance of at least one metre from each other.  This is because one of the easiest ways in which the virus is transmitted is through close contact.

Ø It is not permitted to pass baskets or collection bags from person to person.  Arrangements must be made for closely monitored collection points at entrances to Churches, with distinction between the first and second collections.  There is also an on-line payment facility for the Common Fund and Share collections on the front page of the diocesan website.  Click on “Donate”.

The situation of isolation that many will feel with the current restrictions challenges the Christian community to be attentive to and remember those in our communities who live alone and especially families carrying extra burdens.

I am well aware of the burdens and uncertainty that this complex situation places on priests. We will experience a workload that is uncharted.   We must pray for each other, support one another and remain hopeful and be a focal point to provide hope for others.  Our Churches can remain open and offer consolation and comfort to us all. 

Over the next days, up-dated information will be made available on the diocesan website.

Yours very sincerely 

+Diarmuid Martin

Archbishop of Dublin