Irish Episcopal Conference

Lobbying Organisation Irish Episcopal Conference

Date published 20 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Community

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details The Minister for Health invited Archbishop Eamon Martin to a meeting to discuss concerns that arose following the publication on Friday of SI 171/2021.

Intended results Archbishop Martin explained the deep concerns already expressed regarding the criminalising of leading, and gathering for, public worship at this time despite the consistent support from the Churches for public health messaging since the beginning of the pandemic. He reiterated the Church’s support for the protection of health, life and for the Common Good and emphasised the importance of respecting and sustaining people’s spiritual well-being alongside their physical and mental health.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Minister Donnelly was joined at the meeting by Dr Colette Bonner from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, which took place on 19 April 2021. The Archbishop emphasised that the vital pastoral work of priests and other ministers on the ground should also be respected and deemed essential, rather than subject to penal sanction. Ministers of religion are often on the front line supporting the sick, the bereaved, the isolated and those who are struggling to cope. Pastoral ministry and spiritual support, which are so important for people during the time of pandemic, ought not to be confined to a small number of legally acceptable and “regulated activities”. The Archbishop stressed the importance of regular and meaningful conversation and consultation between Church, State and public health advisers to ensure that there is mutual understanding and positive cooperation in supporting life and health during times like the Covid-19 crisis.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)