Excused from Mass/Holy Days of Obligation?

[Annie_B]

Hello -
Is a person who has a phobia about leaving their home and being around strangers ( I believe that this is called “agoraphobia” but I may be wrong…) excused from weekly Mass and Holy Days of obligation? I read a thread that stated if one is away (camping, out of area etc) and cannot get to Mass then they are excused, so it would seem to me that a phobic would also be excused… I asked this in Appologetics but was hoping to find some (name removed by moderator)ut here.

Thank you!
Annie B

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

Hello -
Is a person who has a phobia about leaving their home and being around strangers ( I believe that this is called “agoraphobia” but I may be wrong…) excused from weekly Mass and Holy Days of obligation? I read a thread that stated if one is away (camping, out of area etc) and cannot get to Mass then they are excused, so it would seem to me that a phobic would also be excused… I asked this in Appologetics but was hoping to find some (name removed by moderator)ut here.

Thank you!
Annie B

It is an illness so why wouldn’t the person be excused?

Hopefully the person gets help and can get out again as well as go to mass again.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello -
Is a person who has a phobia about leaving their home and being around strangers ( I believe that this is called “agoraphobia” but I may be wrong…) excused from weekly Mass and Holy Days of obligation? I read a thread that stated if one is away (camping, out of area etc) and cannot get to Mass then they are excused, so it would seem to me that a phobic would also be excused… I asked this in Appologetics but was hoping to find some (name removed by moderator)ut here.

Thank you!
Annie B

A person would be excused if after atempting to attend a Mass they are unable to by reason of something beyond their control.

 

[Jenny_Z]

They would be excused for the illness, and they could probably arrange with the priest to have someone come give them communion every week.

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

They would be excused for the illness, and they could probably arrange with the priest to have someone come give them communion every week.

This can be a great solution for most disease related problems but may not be for those with phobias. Great sensitivity needs to be used.

 

[cameron_lansing]

The principle is that no one is bound to the impossible. But we would not want a suffering member of the body of Christ to be left without the help of the Church, and in particular, the Eucharist.

An person burdened by agoraphobia might still be able to use the telephone without overwhelming anxiety, and would be encouraged to call the parish priest. This would open to door to receiving Holy Communion at home.

As well, some provision could be made for a dispensation or commutation of the obligation if the pastor believes these might be appropriate or useful.

Sometimes even when the law does not bind in a particular case, a dispensation, which removes an obligation, or a commutation, which substitutes another means to observe an obligation, is given when the person would suffer from scruple or anxiety even though not bound. The pastor could evaluate this.

 

[mommyof4]

Annie, I would talk to your priest about this, and see what he suggests.

 

[Annie_B]

Annie, I would talk to your priest about this, and see what he suggests.

Oh if it were that easy…I just about had a heart attack when I went to confession for the girst time in years…I have tried to talk to my parish priest but all I do is end up crying and he does not know what to do about it because I can’t explain it… Sometimes I get as far as the church and then panic and go home. It is easy to say “get help” but not only does that cost money, but it is next to impossible for me to talk to someone about my problem. Some people do not understand how crippling this can be. I also live in a rural area where there are not too many options…However, I do have television and am able to watch Mass…That I am grateful for.

THank you all for your replies -
Annie

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

Oh if it were that easy…I just about had a heart attack when I went to confession for the girst time in years…I have tried to talk to my parish priest but all I do is end up crying and he does not know what to do about it because I can’t explain it… Sometimes I get as far as the church and then panic and go home. It is easy to say “get help” but not only does that cost money, but it is next to impossible for me to talk to someone about my problem. Some people do not understand how crippling this can be. I also live in a rural area where there are not too many options…However, I do have television and am able to watch Mass…That I am grateful for.

THank you all for your replies -
Annie

I struggle not to give in to agoraphobia.

I find one needs to take it each day and try to push it behind you.

Talk first to medical doc - especially cardiologist - see about some meds for when the panic is at its worst.

 

[Digitonomy]

I have tried to talk to my parish priest but all I do is end up crying and he does not know what to do about it because I can’t explain it… Sometimes I get as far as the church and then panic and go home.

You seem pretty level-headed online. If you are too anxious to contact the priest by phone as cameron_lansing suggested, I would recommend emailing him - you will be better able to explain your situation without your anxiety interfering. He can then suggest a course of action.

If you need to do that, be aware that not every priest looks at his email on a regular basis - if you don’t hear back, and are still too anxious to use the phone, try emailing the secretary or someone else listed in the parish, or even someone from another parish - they’ll probably be happy to draw your priest’s attention to the issue, so he can check his email and get back to you.

 

[THurifer2]

.

Talk first to medical doc - especially cardiologist - see about some meds for when the panic is at its worst.

I am not sure why one would see a cardiologist for this issue…

With this in mind psych doc can subscribe a Cardiac medicine called Inderal that seems to be effective against anxiety but has some annoying side effects…This quite a few anxiety medicines out there. You need to see a doctor. and perhaps a psych doc. You need to get at the underlying cause for agoraphoia. Usually people with agoraphobia are afraid of having a panic attach in a place that they cannot escape embarassment.

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

I am not sure why one would see a cardiologist for this issue…

With this in mind psych doc can subscribe a Cardiac medicine called Inderal that seems to be effective against anxiety but has some annoying side effects…This quite a few anxiety medicines out there. You need to see a doctor. and perhaps a psych doc. You need to get at the underlying cause for agoraphoia. Usually people with agoraphobia are afraid of having a panic attach in a place that they cannot escape embarassment.

To make sure meds for anxiety are compatible with treatment for heart issues (been there, done that - VERY worthwhile).

 

[Annie_B]

Thank you all for the advice. I have no medical insurance and can ill afford the doctor…However, I am encouraged by the responses and am looking forward - one day at a time.

Annie

 

[THurifer2]

To make sure meds for anxiety are compatible with treatment for heart issues (been there, done that - VERY worthwhile).

I work in medicine…Cardiologists are not as informed as psychiatrists when it comes to psych meds.

I suggest that a person with an anxiety disorder go to the specialist in that disorder. 99.9% of the time a Doctor will refer a pt to the correct doctor. Psych docs are the correct doctor in this case.

Oh by the way psychiatrists are medical doctors. It is not uncommon that psych docs to even cover the ER in some hospitals. I worked at one of the Largest teaching hospitals in the country and the PSYCH residents covered the ER often to stay current in medicine. They take the same medical boards.

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

I work in medicine…Cardiologists are not as informed as psychiatrists when it comes to psych meds.

I suggest that a person with an anxiety disorder go to the specialist in that disorder. 99.9% of the time a Doctor will refer a pt to the correct doctor. Psych docs are the correct doctor in this case.

Oh by the way psychiatrists are medical doctors. It is not uncommon that psych docs to even cover the ER in some hospitals. I worked at one of the Largest teaching hospitals in the country and the PSYCH residents covered the ER often to stay current in medicine. They take the same medical boards.

Yes all that is true

YET in trying to work in a whole person framework which is the more important system?

I did not suggest having the cardiologist dx and treat the panic issues but to make sure he/she knew what was going on and what to watch out for re meds that could be a problem.

 

[THurifer2]

YET in trying to work in a whole person framework which is the more important system?

WHich system is more important when a 300 pound psychotic pt shows up to the ER threatening to kill everyone they see?

Its a case by case situation. In anxiety depression is usually a major player in the condition. Depression can be a life threatening situation.

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

WHich system is more important when a 300 pound psychotic pt shows up to the ER threatening to kill everyone they see?

Its a case by case situation. In anxiety depression is usually a major player in the condition. Depression can be a life threatening situation.

You are looking at this from a very different perspective than I am.

If someone has multiple health issues one does not have the luxury to keep them departmentalized. Yes - you see specialists for each area BUT you keep each specialist informed and check about what you should be on the look out for.

 

[daeve]

Getting back to Annie…Do you have someone you trust, a relative or friend, who could be with you when you call the priest and take over if you can’t continue? If nothing else, you could write a regular old letter, explaining your situation, asking your questions. Receiving communion at home would probably do you a world of good. Think of the strength you could garner from that personal contact with Jesus.

And on an up note, I have a friend, formerly my next-door neighborh, who USED TO BE agoraphobic. She could leave the house, but not alone. She used to make me mad, asking me to pick something up at a store that was almost across the street from our houses. She would ask me to take her shopping but shopping was around the corner! Once I found out, I was embarassed about getting annoyed. But here’s the thing…she found a support group and went to weekly sessions with other people who had simliar issues. After about a year, she was able to shop on her own, she got her first drivers’ license and then she even got a job! So don’t despair. This can be conquered.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Yes all that is true

YET in trying to work in a whole person framework which is the more important system?

I did not suggest having the cardiologist dx and treat the panic issues but to make sure he/she knew what was going on and what to watch out for re meds that could be a problem.

Actually, a competent psychiatrist would be aware of the cardiac (and other systems) effects of the meds he is prescribing and tailor them to meet the needs of the patient. I have cardiac problems and high blood pressure and had to be on antidepressents for a while. My psychiatrist took a thorough medical and pharmacological history and was very careful to select medication that was compatible with what I was taking and my medical history. He also communicated with my primary care provider. I never had a problem because of the medication I took.

 

[Just_1_hr_a_wk]

Actually, a competent psychiatrist would be aware of the cardiac (and other systems) effects of the meds he is prescribing and tailor them to meet the needs of the patient. I have cardiac problems and high blood pressure and had to be on antidepressents for a while. My psychiatrist took a thorough medical and pharmacological history and was very careful to select medication that was compatible with what I was taking and my medical history. He also communicated with my primary care provider. I never had a problem because of the medication I took.

It does not always translate the other way around.

If I were to pick which meds to risk having them be less effective it would be the psych meds over the cardio meds.

One needs to prioritize things sometimes.