The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise has clarified diocesan guidance that wakes, with an open coffin, are not permitted in churches.
It follows a letter from Bishop Paul Connell to funeral directors in south Leitrim which said reposing of remains in churches would not be permitted in any church belonging to a Catholic parish in the diocese from 9 February.
In a statement issued through the Catholic Communications Office, he noted that in recent months a practice had developed in some parishes around the use of churches for the reposing of the remains of those who had died.
This is a practice he said that was usually held in the home, or in recent years in a…