As places of worship prepare for the resumption of public services in the coming weeks, attention is focused on how best to manage social distancing and other health guidelines.
The Association of Catholic Priests has called for greater clarity around how mass attendances will be overseen, when Covid-19 restrictions are further eased.
The Association is concerned that there is too much onus on individual priests to manage the situation and says guidance at diocesan level would help ensure responsibilities around oversight of public gatherings would be shared.
The organisation, which represents more than 1,000 clergy across the country, says there is unease that priests are having to take full responsibility for all aspects of the reopening process.
Churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship are due to reopen on the week beginning the 29 June.
In An Spidéal, Co Galway, every second pew has been removed from the local Catholic Church to allow for social distancing.
The measure also means that people will not have to queue for communion.
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The number of people attending Sunday mass will be managed by a ticket system.
Families or individuals wishing to worship will be asked to collect a ticket in advance to secure a place in the church.
Any extra places will then be allocated according to the space available.
In Galway city, plans are also being devised for the reopening of St Nicholas' Collegiate Church in the city centre.
Celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of the building have been disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions but Rector Lynda Peilow is hopeful that a resumption of Sunday services on 5 July will give a lift to her congregation.
All services will take place according to the public health advice.
