The global coronavirus pandemic has prompted the Catholic Church to tell its flock not to come near a church if they are feeling unwell.
And a south Dublin parish has advised mass-goers not to offer a handshake of peace or bless themselves with holy water as it rolled out a litany of preventative measures that will remain in place while COVID-19 remains a public health risk.
Foxrock Parish today issued an advisory note instructing parishioners against shaking hands or using holy water when blessing themselves, adding that its church’s fonts would be emptied as a precaution.
Instead of the traditional 'Peace be with you' handshake, parishioners are advised that they can "smile or nod their head if they wish”.
The note, posted on its Facebook page, adds: "Only the priest will receive Holy Communion from the Chalice.
"There will be no second Chalice for those with gluten intolerance; there will instead be low-gluten hosts available for anyone who needs them."
The post continues: "Ministers of Holy Communion will use hand sanitisers before and after ministering Holy Communion; Holy Communion will be ministered in the hand only and will not be ministered on the tongue."
The HSE has issued general advice about preventing the spread of coronavirus, which reached Irish shores on Thursday when a woman who had arrived at Dublin Airport from northern Italy became the first confirmed case.
A second case - a male who lives in the east of the country and who is understood to be being treated in isolation at a Dublin hospital - was confirmed last night.
The virus has killed at least 2,943 people worldwide including 29 in Italy, where both Irish patients are believed to have contracted the potentially deadly bug.
The outbreak - and its arrival in Ireland - forced the Dublin Archdiocese to urge priests or parishioners who feel sick to steer clear of Mass for at least two weeks.
It said that pastoral care can be provided over the phone or through Skype “if resources permit”.
A statement from the Archdiocese says: "“We have circulated [guidelines] to all parishes in the Archdiocese. [Persons who are ill] may be asked to limit their social interactions for 14 days, including staying at home and not attending religious services.
“In order to reduce the possible spread of infection, these people should not be visited by religious leaders/members of the clergy while they are in self isolation. Pastoral care can be provided over the telephone/Skype if resources permit," the statement goes on to say.
"Most physical interaction during religious services, e.g. shaking hands while exchanging the sign of peace in Christian religious services involves a low-risk of spreading the virus, especially if members of the congregation who are unwell do not attend religious services while they are ill.
“However, because Covid-19 is a new disease that has not been seen in people before, we need to exercise extreme caution to limit the spread of the virus."
