THE Archbishop of Tuam has said some of the major costs, for families at Confirmation time could be alleviated if children were to be confirmed in their school uniforms.
Dr Michael Neary also said the Confirmation meals so often held in hotels and restaurants could be replaced with simpler family celebrations at home, or even a community celebration in the local, hall.
Dr Neary's comments were in, response to points made on MWR Radio, where listeners expressed concern that the expense involved in having one child or more confirmed should fall so soon after the many Christmas expenses.
Archbishop Neary said: "I see this as a major problem which has nothing whatever to do with dates and times but rather everything to do with unrealistic expectations and strained, stress making, attempts to satisfy them. This problem should be tackled at its roots."
