Can the Mass be celebrated in a non-Catholic church?

[JackVk]

I was at two seminars this weekend called Youth for Truth and Men of Valor. Jason Evert was supposed to be speaking there, but his wife and kids were sick, and then his plane broke down, so he couldn’t make it . Anyway, this was more of a non-denominational Christian seminar, and it was held at a Nazarene church. There was confession for the Catholics, and I guess confession doesn’t need to be in a Catholic church. But can a Catholic Mass be celebrated in a non-Catholic church?

 

[Vico]

I was at two seminars this weekend called Youth for Truth and Men of Valor. Jason Evert was supposed to be speaking there, but his wife and kids were sick, and then his plane broke down, so he couldn’t make it . Anyway, this was more of a non-denominational Christian seminar, and it was held at a Nazarene church. There was confession for the Catholics, and I guess confession doesn’t need to be in a Catholic church. But can a Catholic Mass be celebrated in a non-Catholic church?

Yes.

CIC Can. 932 §1. The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.
§2. The eucharistic sacrifice must be carried out on a dedicated or blessed altar; outside a sacred place a suitable table can be used, always with a cloth and a corporal.

CIC Can. 933 For a just cause and with the express permission of the local ordinary, a priest is permitted to celebrate the Eucharist in the place of worship of some Church or ecclesial community which does not have full communion with the Catholic Church so long as there is no scandal.

 

[achmafooma]

Yes, if necessary.

It’s common in growth areas when new Parishes are created. They often hold Mass in other buildings – whether non-Catholic churches or schools or some other suitable building – until the actual Parish building can be built.

My Parish held Mass in a Methodist church for a few years before our building could be built, and a neighboring Parish currently holds Mass in an elementary school waiting for theirs to be built.

 

[ProVobis]

Masses have been held outdoors and in stadia. Also in non-denominational chapels.

 

[po18guy]

Masses have been held in filthy prisons in case of necessity. In China and Viet Nam, imprisoned Priests and Bishops celebrate mass surreptitiously in their cells.

 

[benidict]

interesting thread. what about if there is pagan services held in the same sanctuary? nothing against my pagan friends, but i dont like the fact #1, that we have to share space with the protestants, and #2, with pagans, who hold services there also. it just doesnt feel right, attending services, where so much is taught, that goes against what we hold to be true. also im not comfortable having to see an alter with a pentacle on it. any thoughts? Peace

 

[Reuben_J]

CCC 932, 933 notwithstanding, the condition for a full mass is a priest and the mass kit. The venue is secondary and pretty much commonsense. As long as the place is quite decent and devoid of any activities that might be sacrilegious, it should be acceptable.

 

[Vico]

I’ve assisted at a Mass in the woods on a Boy Scout religious retreat.

 

[po18guy]

interesting thread. what about if there is pagan services held in the same sanctuary? nothing against my pagan friends, but i dont like the fact #1, that we have to share space with the protestants, and #2, with pagans, who hold services there also. it just doesnt feel right, attending services, where so much is taught, that goes against what we hold to be true. also im not comfortable having to see an alter with a pentacle on it. any thoughts? Peace

It is sacrilege to use the consecrated Sanctuary for profane (non-religious or pagan) purposes. A Church hall is another situation entirely.

 

[achmafooma]

Masses have been held in filthy prisons in case of necessity. In China and Viet Nam, imprisoned Priests and Bishops celebrate mass surreptitiously in their cells.

Ah, yes of course. I should have pointed this out as well. I was Confirmed in the name of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who celebrated the Mass with smuggled bread and wine in the Nazi’s Auschwitz concentration camp.

I’m pretty sure if Mass can be celebrated there, it can be celebrated in a Protestant church .

God bless you.

 

[JackVk]

Okay, so I thought of another question today:

my Public Speaking professor says he and his wife were married at Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. When we were going around the room and introducing ourselves, I mentioned that I am considering the Catholic priesthood. He then said that his wife is a practicing Catholic. Would that marriage be valid if it were held outside a church?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Okay, so I thought of another question today:

my Public Speaking professor says he and his wife were married at Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. When we were going around the room and introducing ourselves, I mentioned that I am considering the Catholic priesthood. He then said that his wife is a practicing Catholic. Would that marriage be valid if it were held outside a church?

Depends.

If its civil marriage, then its not sacramental and thus invalid if they were Catholics at the time of marriage. Of course if they have had convalidation of the marriage afterwards, then its fine.

If there was a priest, they would have to have a dispensation from the Bishop. But it would have been valid anyways, but illicit. The priest would be in serious trouble with the Bishop if that was not authorized by the Bishop.

 

[Mikeoffaith]

interesting thread. what about if there is pagan services held in the same sanctuary? nothing against my pagan friends, but i dont like the fact #1, that we have to share space with the protestants, and #2, with pagans, who hold services there also. it just doesnt feel right, attending services, where so much is taught, that goes against what we hold to be true. also im not comfortable having to see an alter with a pentacle on it. any thoughts? Peace

Really? You’re kidding right? How do you think the protestants feel about sharing space with you?

 

[Vico]

Calling all Christians to take up their crosses. You can do this people!

Matthew 10:37-38:
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”

 

[benidict]

Really? You’re kidding right? How do you think the protestants feel about sharing space with you?

with all due respect my friend. i really do not care. we may be seperated bretheren, and thats just it. seperated. if i am seperated from my spouse, do WE share the same house? NO we do not. not unless we are reconciled. whats the difference? Peace

 

[Mikeoffaith]

with all due respect my friend. i really do not care. we may be seperated bretheren, and thats just it. seperated. if i am seperated from my spouse, do WE share the same house? NO we do not. not unless we are reconciled. whats the difference? Peace

Understood. Should your church meet an unfortunate accident so that it can be used, should I not even bother to offer you the use of mine?

 

[PJM]

=JackVk;7517116]I was at two seminars this weekend called Youth for Truth and Men of Valor. Jason Evert was supposed to be speaking there, but his wife and kids were sick, and then his plane broke down, so he couldn’t make it . Anyway, this was more of a non-denominational Christian seminar, and it was held at a Nazarene church. There was confession for the Catholics, and I guess confession doesn’t need to be in a Catholic church. But can a Catholic Mass be celebrated in a non-Catholic church?

Confession Yes, Mass No. I’m not positive But I don’t think even a Bishop can aprove this except for dire emergcies?

God Bless,
Pat

 

[benidict]

Understood. Should your church meet an unfortunate accident so that it can be used, should I not even bother to offer you the use of mine?

thank you, but the location would not be up to me. im not a priest. and i would look for another Catholic congregation first. there are even some Catholics who have small chaples that are consecrated in their homes. I would more than likely see if i could join them. sorry, nothing personal. i spent years trying to find the truth in protestant churches, and have no desire to return to one for services. reguardless of the circumstances. my parents however are protestant. and i have helped them on a weekday, do some volunteer cleaning at their church. i do not however attend services there. as far as reconciliation goes, i am hoping we do reconcile with the Lutherans like yourself, and the Episcopalians in my lifetime. i do not believe there is too much that divides us. also it would be nice to be reunited with the Orthodox. when it comes to fundamentalist??? i dont see much hope there, honestly. like i said. nothing personal. Peace

 

[benidict]

Hi J. i understand where you are coming from, and i wish i could have found a better way to word it. i know it came out as kinda mean. i really did not intend for it to come out that way. fortunately, im not involved in the reconciliation process. im not willing to give up one iota of Catholic doctrine. even if it would mean unity. and it just does not sit right with me, to share space with folks that are opposed to our doctrines and practices. and its not fair to put them through the same. hope this clears it up. Peace

 

[rinnie]

I was at two seminars this weekend called Youth for Truth and Men of Valor. Jason Evert was supposed to be speaking there, but his wife and kids were sick, and then his plane broke down, so he couldn’t make it . Anyway, this was more of a non-denominational Christian seminar, and it was held at a Nazarene church. There was confession for the Catholics, and I guess confession doesn’t need to be in a Catholic church. But can a Catholic Mass be celebrated in a non-Catholic church?

Nope If a Catholic Mass is celebrated it is now a Catholic Church, at least for the moment. Just kidding Yes you can do this.

When our Church was being repaired we had to have our service’s in the school gym for quite awhile.