Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, now the deputy head of the government of Ireland, announced that First Communions and Confirmations are “off, unfortunately.”

“I remain troubled that any government or government minister can cancel the celebration of religious worship or the sacraments while, crucially, saying at the same time that what happens within a church is safe,” said Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath. “This goes to the heart of freedom of worship.”