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First Communion ceremonies - and potentially the traditionally white dresses that go with them - could become a thing of the past in Dublin. Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Archdiocese of Dublin proposes radical shake-up of First Communion ceremonies

The new policy document is geared at making the First Communion a more parish-oriented – and cheaper – event.

STANDALONE CEREMONIES to mark a child’s First Communion could become a thing of the past under a new policy document published this afternoon by the Archdiocese of Dublin.

The diocese’s proposals would see Catholic children make their First Communion at a regular Sunday Mass – possibly in small groups – in order to avoid the extravagance and expense that has accompanied the ceremony in more recent years.

“Parishes should encourage people to celebrate the Sacrament with the simplicity and authenticity which will help the child to fully understand the mystery of the Eucharist,” archbishop Dr Diarmuid Martin said this afternoon.

Dr Martin said the focus of the new policy was to ensure that First Communions – as well as First Confession ceremonies – were celebrated “with the simplicity and authenticity which will help the child to fully understand the mystery of the Eucharist”.

He added that when the new policy was being implemented, parishes should work with parents to ensure that the Communion event be celebrated without major expense.

Fr Kieran McDermott, the diocesan vicar in charge of evangelisation, said he hoped the new proposals would refocus on the roles of schools, homes and parishes and that he would now begin a “significant period of discussion” with the various bodies involved.

Dr Martin acknowledged that it may be some time before the changes are adopted throughout the archdiocese, which covers most of counties Dublin and Wicklow, and parts of counties Carlow, Kildare, Laois and Wexford.

Read: Gilmore: Communion allowance cut to stop ‘lavish’ spending

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    Mute Jim Buckley Barrett
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:13 PM

    but but but Poots took legal advice …… god save us

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    Mute Pete Gilmartin
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:20 PM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: Did you hear who he took that advice from? I’m not even kidding here, Jamie effing Bryson. The loyalist headbanger. .

    269
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    Mute Eoin Roche
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:28 PM

    @Pete Gilmartin: the Poundshop Lawyer, mar a deir Colum Eastwood. The absolute catastrophe that is the leadership of far-right Unionism, is like an elixer of youth for me today, its like drinking pure happiness. Can’t wait for this Assembly election now.

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    Mute FiannaFáilness FineGaelness
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:45 PM

    @Pete Gilmartin: Are you serious? Bryson hasn’t even passed the bar.

    57
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    Mute FiannaFáilness FineGaelness
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:48 PM

    @Pete Gilmartin: Had to go and Google that… Seems you were kidding, Poots got his legal advice from John Larkin the former Attorney General in the North.

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    Mute Isa
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    Feb 4th 2022, 3:03 PM

    @FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Yep, but Bryson claimed in a radio interview he gave it. Anything to try to make himself relevant.

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    Mute FiannaFáilness FineGaelness
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    Feb 4th 2022, 3:12 PM

    @Isa: That’s it, he’d say mass…

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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Feb 4th 2022, 4:26 PM

    @FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: No Kidding – Bryson is claiming in todays Belfast Telegraph that he had been advising Poots and the DUP with all the legal implications of the Protocol for months.

    Poots said yesterday that he also received legal opinion from John Larkin but didnt clarify what that opinion was and which opinion he eventually went on before acting. Mind you, I dont think the DUP was ever in the business of taking advice from anyone.

    11
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    Mute James Lough
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    Feb 4th 2022, 4:44 PM

    @Angela McCarthy: that’s a scurrilous remark ! DUP take advice from Doctor No.

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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Feb 4th 2022, 5:01 PM

    @FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Bryson never passed a bar in his life, especially when Edwin in buying.

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    Mute Joe Johnson
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:13 PM

    If this judicial review shows that Edwin Poots broke the law then he should suffer the consequences of his actions.

    237
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    Mute Eoin Roche
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:32 PM

    @Joe Johnson: while I agree in principle, he can say it was based on legal advice and legal advice often differs, even though what he was trying to do was a wrecking tactic, it’s probably not criminal. In any case, he hasn’t managed to be selected by his party to run in the now consequent election, so his punishment will be to live on in ignominy as one of the most incompetent politicians in the history of Ireland or Britain. And probably the World.

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    Mute Garreth mc mahon
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:14 PM

    Playing bigoted politics to get what you what to the detriment of workers across the whole island should not be allowed happen, he somehow needs to be sanctioned

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    Mute Kevin Conway
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:20 PM

    You couldn’t write what’s happening in the UK at present. Brexit is a disaster and will have long lasting negative ramifications. Throw in the DUP and Borris and the asylum starts rocking to ABBA….
    There’s no one driving the red bus these days, they’re all partying down the back.

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    Mute leartius
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:55 PM

    @Kevin Conway: I quote Professor Anton Muscatelli principal and vice chancellor at the University of Glasgow from 2018.
    “the most unhinged example of national self-sabotage in living memory.”

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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:38 PM

    I think the legal opinion that Poots received must have been given to him at an Orange Lodge, or in a pub.

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    Mute FiannaFáilness FineGaelness
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:56 PM

    @Angela McCarthy: The News Letter says he got it from John Larkin the former Attorney General in the North.

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    Mute James Beattie
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    Feb 4th 2022, 1:32 PM

    @FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Jamie Bryson is claiming credit for it on Twitter

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    Mute FiannaFáilness FineGaelness
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    Feb 4th 2022, 1:50 PM

    @James Beattie: Forgive me for not believing Mr. Bryson.

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    Mute Michael
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    Feb 4th 2022, 12:32 PM

    Here it is for all unionist supporters to see, the UK government does care about Northern Ireland or even consider it as part of the union. Serious questions need to be asked by the people of NI, and in particular the six counties, if they see themselves as been part of the UK moving forward, with the likes of the DUP.

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    Mute David Abbott
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    Feb 4th 2022, 1:32 PM

    @Michael: I presume you meant to say – ” does not care” in which case I agree with you 100%

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    Mute Michael
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    Feb 4th 2022, 2:21 PM

    @David Abbott: yes.

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    Mute Michael
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    Feb 4th 2022, 2:22 PM

    @David Abbott: correct.

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    Mute LUCY Thomas
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    Feb 4th 2022, 1:44 PM

    Well that’s embarrassing…

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    Mute Sean Mc Cabe
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    Feb 4th 2022, 2:04 PM

    That’ll poots him in his place

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    Mute Peter B
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    Feb 4th 2022, 3:05 PM

    Better call Saul…..

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    Mute David Hughes
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    Feb 4th 2022, 2:57 PM

    Pussin Poots

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    Mute Michael Larkin
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    Feb 4th 2022, 10:25 PM

    The Befast High Court did’nt give two hoots for Edwin Poots.

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