THE most senior Catholic leader in Glasgow says it is time to start planning on the "re-opening" of the city's churches.

The Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, says "something has changed" as the Scottish Government gets set to implement phase one of the easing of lockdown restrictions later this week.

Churches and all places of worship have been closed since March as part of measures to minimise social contact and reduce the spread of Covid-19. 

READ MORE: Hero paramedics thanked after chocking incident involving seven-month old tot

"Something has changed," said the Archbishop during Mass from St Andrew's Cathderal on Sunday. 

"The Scottish Government has intimated that it will initiate phase one of post-lockdown on Thursday coming, by introducing some light and cautious loosening of the restrictions that are currently on our lives."

The Catholic Church in Scotland established a working group earlier this month to draw up a stratgey that would allow buildings to open again and Masses to return. 

The strategy will include social distancing, with the possible removal of pews and the suspension of the Sign of Peace, use of Holy Water at the back of churches and temporary discontinued use of hymn books and news bulletins.

Under the Scottish Government's lockdown exit strategy, places of worship would open in phase two for private worship only. Phase three could see the reintroduction of more communal acts of worship. 

Glasgow Times: FM Nicola Sturgeon FM Nicola Sturgeon

"We have been advised too that churches may open for limited purposes in phase two, which will be after the 18th June review, and that public Masses and acts of worship may resume with phase three that will follow the 9th July review," the Archbishop continued. "(The) Government has stressed that these dates and phases are provisional, depending on the how the virus is being controlled.

READ MORE: Catholics 'too wishy-washy', says Archbishop of Glasgow

"Provisional as they are, now, thank God, we have an idea of where we are headed, and we can make practical preparations for the sacramental life of the Church to be resumed.

"As you can see, we still need to be patient for some weeks yet. During these weeks, we need to pray for those who are ill, for those who are dying and for all those who are involved in the care and protection of our families, neighbours, friends and loved ones. We need to continue to pray too that the rate of infection slows down and the virus becomes less of a risk."