Fr Michael Canny says there should be a cautious reopening of churches
Churches have been closed to the public as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak since the middle of March.
But there has been growing calls for churches to be reopened to the public to allow people to pray and seek solace.
Cemeteries were reopened to the public 12 days ago after the Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and the Church of Ireland’s Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Rev Andrew Forster both called for a rethink on the issue.
A protest was also held at Derry City Cemetery by local people who called for it to be reopened.
In the first weekend 7,000 people visited cemeteries run by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Fr Michael Canny today told BBC Radio Foyle: “Where I stand is there has to be a gradual opening.
“I think we need to be careful, we need to be cautious, but I do think there needs to be some kind of opening.”
He says social distancing could be implemented given “the profile of the people who come to church and the numbers of people who come to church”.
A number of practical measures could be put in place to allow people to return to worship safely, Fr Canny says.
On Wednesday Environment Minister Edwin Poots suggested there could be a phased reopening of some churches that can adhere to social distancing.
“One of the things I think they could start with is having the church open for solitary prayer but I also see no reason why we can’t have baptisms of small groups,” Fr Canny says.
“There could be small steps taken cautiously,” he adds.
His words were echoed by Fr Paddy McCafferty, who works in west Belfast.
He told Good Morning Ulster that “the opening of the churches would be very desirable”.
He said part of the Catholic tradition was “calling into the church, during the day, even just dropping in, lighting a candle to be in God’s presence”.
“We can’t put anyone at risk.
“If this is to be done, it has to be done with a view to every safety measure and precaution,” he added.
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