But why shouldn't people accommodate a sick parishioner at Mass?

[PrairieMom]

I have to say that I strongly disagree with a response recently given by a CAF apologist regarding a person’s increasing inability to attend Mass due to a chemical allergy.

In particular, I take issue with the statement:

… it is unreasonable to expect people to avoid any use of perfumes and cosmetics because someone might possibly have a rare chemical intolerance that causes him to become ill from the ordinary use others make of commonly used hygiene products. That the parishes in your area have made announcements that people should stop using perfume and make-up when attending Mass may be well-intentioned but it is an unreasonable infringement on the personal freedom of the vast majority for a few here and there who might be affected

I don’t think it is unreasonable to ask other people to be conscious and considerate of other people’s health needs, especially a fellow parishioner! Where I live, not only do all parishes have a “scent-free” policy, but most workplaces do as well for both employees and patrons. In extreme cases, offenders are sent home, period.

I fail to see how concern for and the accommodation of the well-being and safety of others becomes an “unreasonable infringement on the personal freedom of the vast majority of a few here and there who might be affected.” Using that same argument, we can argue that nut-free and peanut-free policies in many schools, workplaces, and day-cares fall under that same infringement.

Unfortunately, I suspect that many of this fellow’s co-parishioners feel the same way concerning this matter, which may be why little headway is being made to accommodate him. Perhaps a better solution, instead of isolating himself from the rest of his parish community, would be to simply find a community that is more considerate and accommodating?

Thank you.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Where exactly does this end? As you pointed out, people are also now being told that they can’t pack peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches for their children to take to school with them because another child might have a severe peanut allergy. Parishes that want to be “scent-free” won’t be able to use incense at Christmas and Easter. Pretty soon, I can imagine that disabled people with service animals will be told they can’t come to Mass because someone might be allergic to dogs.

The fact is that people who have rare conditions that make it impossible for them to participate fully in the hurly-burly of ordinary life with the vast majority who are unaffected cannot reasonably expect society to revolve around them and their needs. Reasonable accommodations certainly should be made, such as allowing service animals into places that do not ordinarily allow entry to animals, but such accommodations should not, as a rule of thumb, infringe on others’ personal freedom (such as bouncing a person who wears cologne from a “scent-free” Mass because someone somewhere in the congregation might possibly be affected).

Rather, people with special needs should both press for reasonable accommodations and accept that their needs will to some extent limit their participation in society. And those who are fortunate enough to be healthy should accept reasonable accommodations graciously, and reach out with sympathy and compassion to those who cannot fully participate so that they don’t suffer from loneliness in addition to their other sufferings.

As a side note, it should be said that I was (and am) offering a solicited opinion formed by certain principles of Church teaching (e.g., what constitutes just reason to miss Mass on Sundays and holy days) but that is not itself Church teaching. Others are, of course, free to disagree.