A row is brewing between the Bishop of Cork and Ross and primary schools in the diocese, over planned changes to Communion and First Reconciliation celebrations.
In a recent letter sent from Bishop Fintan Gavin to parish priests, he has asked for Communions to only take place on the weekend, while First Reconciliation – otherwise known as first confession – must also take place outside of school hours.
The letter has irked some schools and teachers, who say they are now being asked to give up their own time at weekends to participate in what are events of the Catholic Church, and some schools are believed to have written back in protest at the decision.
The Bishop explained that the move follows a recent workshop between priests, teachers and school principles, in which it was agreed that candidates should sit with their families instead of their class group “as one way of highlighting the role of family”.
“I wish to highlight the importance of the intentional involvement of parents and families, and I ask that you communicate this to the schools also,” the Bishop wrote.
In the letter, the Bishop said that it is ‘essential’ that first confession be “celebrated in the church at an evening time that is suitable, so that parents/guardians can be present and participate.”
"The sacrament is not to be celebrated outside of the church in the school building nor during school time.”
This would mark a departure for some schools, who will have the first confession during school time, with the changes now meaning that teachers that have First Communion classes will have to work outside school hours.
The letter also states that First Communion “is to be celebrated in the presence of families on either Saturday or Sunday, but not on a weekday.”
"This is to assist parents and families to be present, as well as maintaining the parish and faith community dimension of the celebration.”
"When Bishop Fintan wrote to parishes recently about First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, he wished to remind people that these key moments in the lives of the children have always been celebrated with family present and in the local parish church with the wider faith community also present,” said spokesperson for the Bishop, Fr Tom Hayes, in a statement provided to the Independent.
"Some temporary arrangements were put in place during the Covid pandemic but these circumstances no longer exist.
“So all parishes are now returning to a fuller celebration of these liturgies with the families, grandparents and extended family present — something which is not possible during working hours for most people.”
Former Cork City councillor Mick Finn sits on a number of school boards, and says that the move will put added pressure on communities who are already beginning to turn away from Catholic Church celebrations.
“Moving ceremonies to weekends is likely considered by teachers as infringing on their own lives and many already go above and beyond with outside of hours work with teams, homework clubs etc.
“Buy-in from schools for Communion and Confirmation prep continues to be important for the Church which continues to adapt to pressures on priest numbers and mass attendances: further thought and communication on this would be helpful I think.”
A spokesperson for Primary School teachers Union INTO told the Independent: “The arrangements for sacramental events are a matter for individual church communities.
“While primary school teachers often volunteer to attend these events outside school hours with their classes, such attendance is not contractual.”