“Bishops, priests and schools are very concerned about the cost of First Communions and Confirmations for parents,” a spokesperson for the Irish bishops has told The Tablet.

A new survey published by Ulster Bank this week revealed that the average spend on a First Communion in Ireland has climbed to over €900, reaching an eight-year high.

The annual Ulster Bank spending survey showed parents were willing to pay an average of €218 on their child’s communion outfit, a 35 per cent increase on €162 in 2018. They also spent on average €41 on make-up and hair for girls, up from €35 in 2018, while party and refreshments averaged €357 in addition to €119 on children’s entertainment.

The average amount of money received by children for their communion this year was €617, up 10 per cent from €558. Almost a quarter of children got cash gifts of more than €800.

Responding to the survey findings, the bishops said, “The primary focus of First Holy Communion is the reception of the Body of Christ by the child for the first time; and, on the continued growth of the spiritual life of the child.”

Acknowledging that First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies are landmark days and should be memorable and happy occasions for the child, parents, grandparents and others, the spokesperson told The Tablet: “If the emphasis for sacramental preparation is placed on commercially related concerns, rather than on the spiritual significance of the sacrament, then it is not a good preparation for Catholic children.”

The cost of Communions has been discussed in parishes, the bishops said but added that the Church’s role is limited to sacramental preparation, in cooperation with parents, schools and parishes, while responsibility for social celebrations rests with parents.

“To experience that authentic celebration of a sacrament, those celebratory aspects which take place outside of the sacramental ceremonies ought to be balanced and appropriate for the occasion,” the bishops stated.

They said parishes were encouraged to provide “a locally organised and modest gathering” after the First Holy Communion Mass so that the faith community could together celebrate this special day in the lives of children and of their families.

According to the bishops, such “modest parish-based initiatives” would help to move the emphasis away from the commercial focus.

“Simplicity ought to characterise the social celebration of these sacramental occasions so that their faith significance is not lost.”

Underlining that the huge spending around Communions relates to the ancillary social celebrations which have nothing to do with the sacramental side of the celebration, Bishop Kevin Doran stated starkly to The Tablet, “There are no costs for Holy Communion.”

Well known Dublin parish priest Fr Joe McDonald said he was “not really surprised” by the latest figures for spending on Communions.

He told The Tablet, “I have met people across the country paying off credit union loans after a number of years for Communion and Confirmation.” He indicated that the excessive spending was “far removed from the essence of the Sacraments”.

The Ballyfermot based priest suggested a possible solution was to offer Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday to the small group of young adults from Transition year who wanted it rather than confirming everyone in sixth class.

Another “way of sticking a pin in the hot air balloon of the big day” for Communions was to offer a completely secular celebration called Graduation in the last month of primary school.

That way, the small group of families who freely choose Communion, because they want the sacrament for their child, could then come to any Mass any Sunday in June for the actual First Holy Communion, he said.