Knock Shrine in CO Mayo announced it will not be open on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, to avoid large crowd gatherings.
The shutdown is essential, as the County Mayo witnessed a recent spike in Coronavirus. It will be impossible for more than 20,000 people to maintain social distance on the busiest day of the year.
The decision to close the Knock Shrine was taken between State and Church bodies.
The rector of the Knock Shrine, Fr. Richard Gibbons mentioned it an “unprecedented and heart-breaking decision”.
“In the light of the current escalation of Covid-19 cases around the country together with the sheer impossibility of having the resources necessary to deal with the potential of large numbers of people gathering at the Shrine”, the rector added.
Fr. Gibbons asked people not to travel to Knock Shrine on August 15, as it would be closed from 8pm on the previous day until 7am on August 16.
“I would ask for your understanding and patience at this time. It is by trusting in God, looking out for one another, and trusting our medical professionals that we will overcome this virus. May Our Lady of Knock protect you all,” Fr. Gibbons added.