The Catholic archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin has advised people to “look after each other and pray”.
The church is being “highly attentive” to public health advice, he told RTÉ radio’s Séan O’Rourke show.
The archbishop was commenting on measures issued by Irish Catholic bishops on Wednesday such as that priests will no longer anoint the foreheads of people who are dying with their thumb.
Instead, holy oil will be administered with a cotton bud or glove which will then be disposed of appropriately.
Similarly, priests will not touch a baby on the forehead when they are being baptised.
Another measure is a ban on the sign of peace and on the passing around of collection baskets in church.
Dr Martin said it was important for the church community to care for those who are vulnerable.
He urged people to phone elderly neighbours a few times a day and to bring food to them.
The church is fully open to following the advice of the public health authorities, he said.
“We respect the information and instructions that are coming from the authorities.”
When asked about churchgoers who insist on receiving communion wafer on their tongue, he suggested that in such circumstances those people can be facilitated in the sacristy in a sanitary manner.
However, he said that believers have a responsibility, not just for their own spirituality, but also to respect the health and well being of others.
“Solidarity is going to be a huge thing.”
There is a lot of tension that needs to be played down to ensure there is no panic, he added.
Dr Martin also said that the church is doing its best to ensure that priests are cared for, but that if a priest had to self isolate, other clergy would step in to care for their parish.
A situation might arise, like in Italy, where mass is celebrated by the priest alone in the church.
The Catholic church is asking its priests to provide “an alternative” to the practice of passing collection baskets.
In a statement, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has issued advice in the context of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
It says hand sanitiser should be provided at each entrance of a church, while holy water fonts should remain empty.
The sign of peace is also not to be expressed by handshaking.
It is asking that holy communion only be received in the hand until the current crisis has passed.
While priests and ministers should sanitise their hands before and after giving out communion.
It says confirmation ceremonies will continue for now, but may have to be postponed “at very short notice.”
However it is asking people with underlying health conditions, and who are considered vulnerable from a health perspective, not to attend the ceremonies.
On baptism, it says the celebrant should sign the child with the cross without touching them.
On funerals, the bishops say: “The community of faith will always seek to surround the funerals and burials of its deceased members with love and respect.
“However, even now it is clear that people with underlying conditions, and who are vulnerable, should not attend funerals.
“For the same reason, when sympathising, people should not shake hands.”
The church adds that it is awaiting official guidance from public health authorities in the event of a deterioration in the situation.
But says the church will “always stand with the bereaved and do its best to ensure a Christian burial for those who request it.”
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