"Parishes will work diligently to observe the new norms to ensure people can attend Mass safely," said Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

"We should be prudent with numbers in the early days to allow us time to get some experience of managing numbers," Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has cautioned. 

"We will now be in the dreadful position of having to turn some people away from Mass once 50 people are already present,” said Fr Tim Hazelwood of the Association of Catholic Priests.

“Today’s decision gives us the opportunity to take up the threads of faithful living in very particular ways of worship in our communities once again,” said Archbishop Jackson.