How responsible should we feel for other people to go to mass?

[Kathrin]

I know we can’t be responsible for everybody around us. BUT… there is SOME responsibility, isn’t there?

The guy I talked about in the gossiping thread (for those who read that) - would you try to take him to mass again, even though he left during the service to get coffee?

What about if somebody is so disabled they can’t get to mass themselves? Are you, who know them, kind of responsible to get them there?

Ok, and this is probably the most common: What if you know somebody will only come to mass if you go with them? To how much trouble would you go to take that person along every time?

Kathrin

 

[ElizabethPH]

I know we can’t be responsible for everybody around us. BUT… there is SOME responsibility, isn’t there?

The guy I talked about in the gossiping thread (for those who read that) - would you try to take him to mass again, even though he left during the service to get coffee?

What about if somebody is so disabled they can’t get to mass themselves? Are you, who know them, kind of responsible to get them there?

Ok, and this is probably the most common: What if you know somebody will only come to mass if you go with them? To how much trouble would you go to take that person along every time?

Kathrin

Regarding the fellow you took to Mass with you that left for another donut and coffee. Was he even Catholic? I don’t think you are under any obligation to take him.

If an individual is Catholic and will only go to Mass if you take them? I don’t know but I don’t think you are any more obligated in that situation. You aren’t responsible for getting a Catholic to Mass that won’t go on their own. That’s my thought, anyway.

I wouldn’t have a problem helping out a person that wants to go to Mass and has no other way to get there; handicapped or not.

 

[baltobetsy]

Other adults are responsible for their own decisions. If someone decides, for example, not to go to Mass without you, that does not bind you to take them to Mass, unless the other person is someone officially in your care, as a child or ward would be.

The disabled person is relieved of the obligation to attend Mass by virtue of the fact that he cannot get there on his own. If you wish to take him sometimes, that’s wonderful, but not strictly necessary.

One thing I’ve learned from interacting with various scrupulous people is that control is a big issue with them. They expect perfect self-control, and worry that they must control the actions of those around them. In fact, you can only control your own actions, and those, quite imperfectly at times. You are not responsible for the actions or choices of another. Your obligation to others is to set a good example, provide information about their moral obligations when appropriate (and those times are limited), and pray for them. If the opportunity to help should arise, you may do so, of course, but you do not need to take responsibility for the actions of another, or feel that you must always help even if doing so poses a great inconvenience to yourself. You cannot live their lives for them!

Betsy

 

[Kathrin]

Regarding the fellow you took to Mass with you that left for another donut and coffee. Was he even Catholic? I don’t think you are under any obligation to take him.

As far as I know he is Catholic. He talks about a church he used to go to a lot.
And he did say to that one he would go on his own again. But it is quite far for him. He IS disabled. But yes, he could go to a church closer to where he lives.

Well, maybe by taking him once maybe it touched SOMETHING in him again.

 

[Kathrin]

If you wish to take him sometimes, that’s wonderful, but not strictly necessary.

Yes, you are right, and seeing it like that it actually feels GOOD. It comes from the heart, then.

 

[KCT]

I think our responsibility is in asking. They are free to say yes or no. —KCT