SW News: A group of young Irish Catholics have released a video calling on the government to end unjust restrictions on places of worship as part of the ‘We Need Worship,’ campaign. They marked their dissent against the discrimination on public worship, saying that it is unconstitutional.

On October 22, the Irish government imposed Level 5 restrictions in the country to curb the spread of COVID-19. While the ban on public worship is in place for six weeks, the government has reopened schools and permitted sports, international travel, and retail.

Referring to the government statistics, Sandra Parda, spokesperson for ‘We Need Worship’ said that there were very few outbreaks of Covid-19 associated with places of worship. “Therefore, the closure of churches and places of worship is completely disproportionate in response,” she added.

As per Article 44 of the Irish constitution, "The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honor religion. Freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion are, subject to public order and morality, guaranteed to every citizen.”

The campaign leaders said that Catholics have been denied their constitutional right to worship publicly. Noting that mental, emotional, and spiritual health is as important as physical health, Sandra Parda said that the “Irish government have failed to strike the correct balance” between them. Concluding the statement, Sandra Parda said, “As practicing Catholics, we believe that the ability to attend public Mass is not only our constitutional right but is also spiritually essential for our wellbeing.”