"A theologian analyzes the morality of the cancellation of public Masses and the closure of churches by the State — superb Thomistic treatment"

[InThePew]

I don’t see how the question of whether the gov’t has presumably prohibited the sacraments has any bearing on the canonical subject of whether the Church can restrict sacraments. It’s an entirely different topic.

Well certainly the Church needs to take into account the government’s presumed motives (at least for those living in places where mistrust of government comes naturally). Where the object is to prevent the spread of an often fatal disease it seems to me that that’s a pretty compelling motive right there.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

For example, St Charles Borromeo is said, during a plague in Milan in 1576–77, to have arranged for Masses to be celebrated outside and at street intersections so that people could watch from their windows and unite themselves in that way with the Mass

Why can’t the mass be held in a park? We can still do all the social distancing and masks.

Shops are open to get food for the body, but we cannot get not food for the soul. What can this mean if not that the former is more important than the latter? Unless of course one considers that food for the soul is sufficiently provided for by personal prayer, in which case the sacramental economy of an incarnate religion is put in parentheses, to say the least.

I think this is a great challenge to our faith and trust in our Lord.

 

[Stephen_says]

The saddest part about this isn’t that we are not attending masses or confession, but that, in my diocese, the priests aren’t allowed in hospitals to confer last rites. That, I think, is a real tragedy.

 

[commenter]

The saddest part about this isn’t that we are not attending masses or confession, but that, in my diocese, the priests aren’t allowed in hospitals to confer last rites. That, I think, is a real tragedy.

Is this a rule of the diocese (have you confirmation of this?) Or the government? Or the hospital?

Are clergy of other denominations allowed in and going in, for deathbed ministry?

 

[choose_to_love]

“Rorate itself is in opposition to Canon Law/Pascendi/V2 document on Media” Could you explain what you mean here?

 

[po18guy]

I might be wrong, but think that you and I have both come to know that the medical (+scientific) field is ruled by caution, often excessive caution. It is a world of “concerns”, negative “possibilities” and even worries. In our media-driven age, the relentless reporting on the virus, the daily death tolls, the celebrities who have fallen to it - have driven change, even in the minds of the Church hierarchy.

However, they remain shepherds and we can only pray that they are also praying over this, for the virtue of prudence to direct their faith, hope and love.

 

[commenter]

See Code of Canon Law canon 823, 1 and 2.
For background see “Pascendi”, 50 to 53, and Vatican 2 Document on Social Communication, with reference to the role of the Ordinary and laity regards “Catholic” media in his diocese.

 

[choose_to_love]

OK, so as I read those three sources, I see that a bishop has a right to police communications in the media within his diocese, and media producers have a responsibility to print/post, uh, responsibly. How do you suggest that Rorate has violated the norms set forth? Has a bishop with authority over it ever asked Rorate to do, or refrain from doing, anything in particular?

The only thing I could see definitively was that the bishop has a right to demand that anything to be published be cleared with him; if you suggest that this is done by most, or indeed any, Catholic publications/websites, perhaps you could identify some.

I mean, come on, Pascendi is criticizing Modernism - - if you think Rorate publishes things that Pius X would disagree with, I don’t know what to say.

 

[Mrchatsworth]

The reality that places must open is starting to hit. In my state the governor just approved stage 2 reopening including restaraunts, hair salons, massage parlors, gyms, etc. nothing has changed really since two weeks ago when it was illegal to go to church. There has been no vaccine, or cure, no mutation of the virus, no new way to sterilize no super aerosol disinfectant etc. in fact two days ago we had Our highest number of cases in almost a month. It shows that there may have been a huge overreaction to the virus for many states and cities.

Oh and you read that right, massage parlors are open… massage parlors.

 

[Usagi]

Or that could mean that states and cities are opening too early and we will see more death than was necessary because people are impatient.

I suppose we shall see.

 

[commenter]

I mean, come on, Pascendi is criticizing Modernism - - if you think Rorate publishes things that Pius X would disagree with, I don’t know what to say.

Most people who applaud Pope St Pius X have likely never read Pascendi, nor his Encyclical on Catholic Action for that matter.

Some of his ideas expressed in writing would not fit in with Rorate, Church Militant, 1p5, LSN, and similar sites.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

in with Rorate, Church Militant, 1p5, LSN, and similar sites.

Oh my.

 

[EXdrinker]

This was a great letter seemingly written in charity urging his bishop to prepare for the next time this happens. This is exactly what is needed and everything in it seems well thought out and worthy of review by all of the bishops.

 

[commenter]

This was a great letter seemingly written in charity urging his bishop to prepare for the next time this happens. This is exactly what is needed and everything in it seems well thought out and worthy of review by all of the bishops.

How is it “written in charity”? He could have sent a letter directly to his bishop. Or, he could have sent a letter to all the US bishops. Instead, he put it in a publication that consistently opposes the bishops.

This is comparable to you writing a letter “to your pastor” by way of the local daily newspaper.

 

[OraLabora]

I don’t think public officials will be swayed by Thomistic arguments. Ultimately they have ultimate responsibility for public health and bishops are legally bound to follow emergency directives.

Anybody who has a problem with that is clearly not putting the welfare of the faithful first. I understand spiritual welfare is important, but for anyone with a modicum of initiative it’s still possible to maintain a good level of spiritual fulfillment. For me, the Liturgy of the Hours was not cancelled, as far as I can tell and I continue praying/chanting it as I always have.

Many parts of the world are without sacraments for long periods of time due to lack of priests. I think we can take this as an opportunity to show solidarity with them and pray with them.

 

[EXdrinker]

How is it “written in charity”? He could have sent a letter directly to his bishop.

It was written for his bishop and presumably sent there first. That it was made public does not negate that fact. The author pointed out several times that the writing is a reflection of what happened in the hopes of being better prepared for next time. That is exactly what is needed in charity - a reflection without condemnation for a better preparedness next time.

 

[commenter]

It was written for his bishop and presumably sent there first. That it was made public does not negate that fact

Fact?
Keep in mind:

• We don’t know if this was sent to the bishop first;
• We don’t know if this was written by a priest at all;
• We do know Rorate consistently opposes the bishops. That in itself doesn’t prove anything, but…