Court asked to review Mass card provision in Charities Act

The High Court is to be asked to block the part of the new Charities Act which outlaws the sale of Mass cards other than through an arrangement with the Catholic Church.

The Act becomes law on Tuesday next, September 1, and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy was told today that sales of Mass cards, other than by agreement with a Bishop or Provincial of an order of priests, could lead to a 10 year jail sentence or €300,000 fine.