Arlene Foster spurs hopes churches may be able to reopen soon

The first minister said churches would be involved in the discussions.

Speaking during a press briefing today, Mrs Foster said: “The deputy first minister (Michelle O’Neill) and I have also agreed to establish a working group involving churches and other faith groups to discuss how best to achieve the gradual opening of places of worship safely step by step in recognition of the importance of faith in people’s lives in Northern Ireland.”

The Presbyterian Church said it had set up a ‘task group’ of its own to prepare “detailed guidance” for churches on a safe return to more normal worship as lockdown restrictions are eased.

The Church of Ireland, meanwhile, has published what it described as “protocols” to provide guidance to parishes in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.

A Presbyterian spokesperson said: “All of our congregations throughout Northern Ireland will welcome the time when it is safe to gather together again for worship on Sunday and other activities during the week.

“We will want of course to follow government advice and guidelines with regard to the numbers who can attend, the precautions necessary etc, and look forward to working in partnership with the Executive in this regard.

“A task group has been preparing detailed guidance which will be issued to our congregations later this month.”

A Church of Ireland spokesperson, meanwhile, said “protocols for a return to in-church worship” had been published to “provide guidance to parishes – in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – in relation to the reopening of places of worship that have been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic”.

In a joint introduction to the document, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, and the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, write: “Reopening churches for public worship is only possible if it can be done safely and by minimising the risk of spreading Covid-19. We strongly commend the implementation of these protocols.”

Nine stages for reopening church buildings are set out by the Church of Ireland.

The church spokesperson added: “At all times, churches must comply fully with all relevant current legislation in their respective jurisdiction, and follow the advice of health authorities.”

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has urged young people to volunteer to help with preparations for the resumption of services.

Archbishop Eamon Martin, speaking after it was announced that church services may resume in the Irish Republic on June 29, said it was his “fervent hope and prayer” that parishes in Northern Ireland will also soon be able to resume public worship. He called on “the younger members of our parishes to step forward in helping us manage the transition back to full parish life and celebration of the sacraments”.