Christchurch Cathedral will now open for service on Easter Sunday after it had been cancelled due to restrictions put in place surrounding the 1916 commemorations.
In a statement tonight, senior clergy said following recent consultation with Government officials and gardaí, a solution was reached whereby clergy, staff and congregation will be facilitated to allow them through the outer security cordon and park in a designated area near the cathedral. A bus will then bring them to the cathedral.
The Eucharist will be celebrated at a service in the cathedral at 10am.
During this service, as the parade is passing the cathedral, the congregation will pray for the country and its leaders and remember those who died during the Rising.
Christchurch cathedral will now be open for Easter service on Easter Sunday - it had been cancelled due to the #rising parade
— Conor Hunt (@conorfhunt) March 3, 2016
The cathedral will then close for a short period and re-open its doors when the parade finishes and the crowds disperse, allowing pilgrims and tourists to visit.
The statement also said that the Church of Ireland is very happy with the outcome of the negotiations with Government and An Garda Síochána to ensure that worshipers have the option to attend Christchurch Cathedral and St Patrick's Cathedral for Easter celebrations.
The Archbishop and senior clergy continue to feel that it is not practical to have every Church of Ireland church in the city open on Easter given that the majority of the parishioners do not live in the vicinity of these churches.
The expectation remains that there will be a very large volume of people to watch the parade. Consequently the decision of the affected clergy to provide alternative places to worship remains as previously stated.
