Priests warned about 'overcooked' ashes after burns

A health lab has warned priests of the dangers of ‘overcooking’ holy ashes after several mass-goers were scorched during Ash Wednesday ceremonies.

Masses had to be abandoned in Cork and Galway after dozens of parishioners complained of burns, blisters and adverse skin reactions following the distribution of ashes during special Masses to mark the start of Lent.

The ashes, traditionally gathered from the burning of palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday, are distributed as a reminder of human mortality.