Important letter to bishops needs peoples' Signatures

[QuietKarlos]

There is a very important letter to the Bishops asking them to make available sacraments to us and asking them to ask to be allowed to make SAFE public masses in parking lots. If you Google ‘we are an Easter people open letter to bishops’ I think you will see it. YOU ARE ABLE TO Sign this letter which I implore you to do.

Edit: my opinion after reading the replies:

So I still stand by the parking lot idea as it wouldn’t be dangerous if everyone stayed in their cars. Communion being distributed might be a a step too far, though. I do understand some places might not have big parking lots but some do, so I would understand in some places obviously them not happening.

I do think, though Priests should try and give anointing of the sick, confessions and last rites to the dying. They can do this following the guidelines of using protective equipment and being far enough away. Although I’m not sure how possible that is with anointing of the sick. It might pose some threat to Priests but they need to tend to the flock and be brave. Catholics should be willing to die for their faith and Priests are no exception. I think if we did this properly then priests wouldn’t have a really high risk anyway. I think God would be happier if the bishops let priests did this rather than if they didn’t.

Churches being open for prayer I wouldn’t be too sure on and might lean towards no but ill leave that for other people to discuss because I’m not too sure.

I could be wrong in my opinions but i don’t think so, if you disagree then say why and I’ll take your opinion into consideration.

 

[OurLadyofSorrows]

I dont know, the global cases of the virus have doubled to 2 million + in just three weeks. I would hate to put rare and precious priests at risk

 

[27lw]

Eastern people or Easter people?

 

[krayzevuze]

a lot of priests are older as well, let alone Bishops. I think the Church has been wise in this matter of handling it, and even if I didnt think so the wisdom would still be there

 

[EricF]

Yeah, that’s going to be a hard no from me. My bishop is being the shepherd he is supposed to be by stating that our diocese will be following our Governor’s guidelines

 

[PetraG]

There is also the matter of what a parking lot Mass does to the Mass itself. There are a few places with amphitheater-like parking lots that could maybe make a case for it, but there is a liturgical briar patch there best left to the discretion of each local bishop.

If priests are going to do anointing of the sick for those close to death, they really do need to stay far away from everyone else, particularly since the spouses of those near death are so often in the population most vulnerable to the coronavirus (and even more people are in hospice at home because of the pandemic).

The other problem, of course, there aren’t enough priests to distribute Holy Communion safely to everyone. It isn’t just to make Holy Communion publicly available only to a chosen few.

I would hate to put rare and precious priests at risk

Yes, and what puts the priests at risk puts the faithful at risk, too.

 

[phil19034]

There is also the matter of what a parking lot Mass does to the Mass itself. There are a few places with amphitheater-like parking lots that could maybe make a case for it, but there is a liturgical briar patch there best left to the discretion of each local bishop.

In regards to the “parking lot mass,” I was originally thinking that the bishops could identify select parishes that could support outdoor masses (either in the parking lots or large grass lots).

Communion doesn’t have be distributed to the people and SOP doesn’t have to happen. Families could remain socially distanced from one another.

The selected parishes could act as regional mass centers. So it is possible.

One thing that I could see as being an issue is having too many people show up from across multiple parishes. However, if enough priests are willing to assist, each regional center could have 10+ Sunday masses, with an online signup (ticketing). These tools are free to use.

That way households could reserve their mass time to prevent too many people from showing up at once. And by using regionalized locations, instead of each parish, the diocese can make sure people have access, but only at locations where it is safe to do so, outdoors.

And most importantly, only in states/counties/cities where it would be legally allowed.

So it could be done. However, another issue is whether there really are enough “regional locations” where the diocese could support outdoor masses…?

But perhaps it is just too complicated for the Church to carry out? Afterall, few Catholics would consider our Churches and Diocese to be well organized.

My Point: the outdoor masses, while they might be technically possible, are not as easy (logistically speaking) as one might think.

 

[PetraG]

Holy Communion doesn’t have be distributed to the people…

I think the bishops rightly hesitate to offer Mass when there is a safety hazard preventing anyone but the priest from receiving Holy Communion, let alone where it is known that substantial numbers of the faithful would have to be turned away.

I think there are places where adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been moved from a confined chapel to the main church, which allows people to visit the church and yet physically distance themselves from each other, with each person able to hand-wash before leaving, and so on.

 

[phil19034]

phil19034:

Holy Communion doesn’t have be distributed to the people…

I think the bishops rightly hesitate to offer Mass when there is a safety hazard preventing anyone but the priest from receiving Holy Communion, let alone where it is known that substantial numbers of the faithful would have to be turned away.

I think there are places where adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been moved from a confined chapel to the main church, which allows people to visit the church and yet physically distance themselves from each other, with each person able to hand-wash before leaving, and so on.

Yes, I know. However, I think you are taking my post out of context.

I’m not arguing that what the bishops did is wrong. I’m saying that it is possible to have outdoor masses, but I’m also pointing out that the logistics isn’t as easy as some people think

 

[otjm]

With no disrespect to anyone, and in particular those who have signed the letter, I would ask everyone to consider this:

In many places of the world, there are Catholics who have no opportunity to go to Mass on a regular basis. Some may not see a priest for up to a year or more.

Those of us who have had the Mass on a weekly, or even daily basis available to us have become spoiled; and I suspect do not even have the issue of other parts of the world “accessibility” even come into our minds - we go about our daily life as if this is our right.

The Church will provide for all as best it can; in some circumstances that is daily Mass; and to those who are not privileged, something far less.

I get it; I seriously miss Mass.

And as my sainted grandmother used to say, “Offer it up for the poor souls in purgatory”.

The issue of the petition ignores the fact that many of our priests are well past the age of 50; a significant number over the age of 60, and any number of those who are now retired also fill in at parishes.

Perhaps instead of signing petitions, we need to pray more for resolution of this viral attack. The great majority of people who attend Mass at least weekly are over the age opf 50 - pay attention to your fellow parishioners. Opening Mass to all in turn puts not just the priest at risk, but also those who loyally go to Mass regularly. It may be a small percentage of those who contract the virus who die, but the age group of those attending is that most at risk group.

It was Volatire who said “The problem with common sense is that it is not all that common”. We have been blessed with bishops who have common sense.

And to those who may not have caught the information, Japan went through lockdown, and then they opened up; and the results were a whip-snap of new infections.

This virus is not going away. The medical powers that be “think” that it will not be as reactive during the summer - which does not mean that infections will not continue. I would invite anyone to review what all the medical powers have had to say to date and contemplate whether one wishes to place a bet on that “thinking”.

 

[PetraG]

Yes, I know. However, I think you are taking my post out of context.

I’m not arguing that what the bishops did is wrong. I’m saying that it is possible to have outdoor masses, but I’m also pointing out that the logistics isn’t as easy as some people think

Yes, I read you wrong. Sorry about that!

 

[po18guy]

Why? Are we so impatient that we cannot wait until lives are not at stake? Does not God Himself know of this and all the while watches our irrational and yes, even disobedient behavior in demanding this and that - right now! What is wrong with us?

True love waits.