“Current [government] guidelines restrict celebrations of the sacraments on the apparent grounds that they may lead to family gatherings, which may breach public health guidelines on household mixing,” said Archbishop Dermot Farrell. “This is perplexing, as no such prohibitions are applied to other events. . . . Many have concluded that, in the absence of appropriate justification, these guidelines are discriminatory.”

Some priests have spoken out in favor of the Irish government’s guidelines. Accusing bishops of endangering children, the co-founders of the Association of Catholic Priests strongly criticized prelates who are permitting First Communion and Confirmation ceremonies. (Founded in 2010, the organization supports women’s ordination and the “re-evaluation of Catholic sexual teaching.”)