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followingtheway
Guest
My grandparents currently live in Arkansas, far away from any Catholic Churches. So they can’t go to mass. Are they sinning?
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
If they can’t get to church physically, they aren’t sinning. But how far away is ‘far away?’ Do they routinely travel as far to get to some place like the grocery store? Are there people who could give them rides?
Can they contact their local bishop (have them check the Diocesean web site) to see if they can receive visits from EHMCs, if not weekly, at least monthly? Can they watch EWTN (NOT that the TV Mass satisfies the obligation, but at least they can follow along hearing the prayers and ‘seeing’ Mass even if they can’t physically be there.)
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followingtheway
Guest
I’ve recently learned that it is close by. 
I misunderstood. But thank you anyway. :sad_yes: The real problem is getting someone to drive them there.
God bless :byzsoc:
David
I misunderstood. But thank you anyway. :sad_yes: The real problem is getting someone to drive them there.God bless :byzsoc:
David
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fabricdragon
Guest
if they could go a similar distance (and similar area) for “secular needs” but simply CHOOSE not to go to church, its sin…
if they CANNOT get to church, then they are not “willfully disobedient” and at worst its a venial or minor sin. however they should contact the priest and see if they can be treated as shut ins and have the Eucharist brought to them!!!
if they CANNOT get to church, then they are not “willfully disobedient” and at worst its a venial or minor sin. however they should contact the priest and see if they can be treated as shut ins and have the Eucharist brought to them!!!
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Wesley7
Guest
Hmm . . No, not if their circumstances (gas $ + distance) make it unreasonable to attend Mass.
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
At our parish, if somebody needs a ride they call the office and a notice is inserted in the bulletin, pointedly mentioned from the pulpit after communion when any ‘announcements’ are read, and addressed until the need is met when a ‘thank you’ is posted in the bulletin. Maybe you could have this done through the parish there?I’ve recently learned that it is close by.
God bless :byzsoc:
David
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Defender1
Guest
IF there is no Catholic church around they are from What I understand supposed to go to closest thing to that . I believe Coptic church if possible .I could be wrong . But if i am not ask them about Coptic churches in the area .
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thetruth0flife
Guest
What matters is the intention of the heart. If they want to go but they can’t, then it isn’t their fault. Deep inside they know that they would have gone if they had the opportunity; so NO, they are not sinning.
God knows the reasons of why sometimes we are unable to attend mass. Let them pray and let God know that they aren’t able to attend mass because of where they live. That is my advice and I hope it helps. God bless you.
God knows the reasons of why sometimes we are unable to attend mass. Let them pray and let God know that they aren’t able to attend mass because of where they live. That is my advice and I hope it helps. God bless you.
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VivaCristoRey27
Guest
Huh? No. One cannot attend a non-Catholic church simply because there are no Catholic churches in the area. Indults for Catholics to attend Orthodox (Eastern, Oriental, Syriac) churches have always been very limited. Just because there have been some historical indults (or it has been, at times and in places, officially tolerated – even by popes) for Eastern Catholics living in Orthodox countries without Eastern Catholic parishes available, doesn’t suddenly mean that anyone can go to a non-Catholic Liturgy.
If there is no Catholic church available, one cannot attend a Protestant or Orthodox church instead. Communicatio in sacris is, at least under normal circumstances, a grave sin.
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JReducation
Guest
If getting to mass is a hardship, there is no culpability to worry about. That’s the way that Spiritual Theology makes the judgment call. It’s that simple.I’ve recently learned that it is close by.
God bless :byzsoc:
David
We’re talking about grandparents. I’m assuming that these are older people. Older people are not as mobile as the rest of us. They can’t always walk to the church that’s two blocks up the street without physical inconvenience (arthritis, blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breadth, etc).
They can ask if the local parish has transportation for seniors. Some parishes that have many seniors offer this service. They can also ask the pastor to send them Holy Communion with an EMHC, a deacon or one of the parish priests.
Don’t have them call the bishop for that. We must always remember that the Church operates on the Principle of Subsidiarity. You must go up the chain of command. If you skip a rung on the ladder, at the very best, you’re going to be sent back to the lower rung and at worse, you’ll have your head bitten off for going over someone’s head. We don’t want to suggest that to nice little old people who may become very distraught unnecessarily.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
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Sonic
Guest
I live in Central Arkansas. What section of Arkansas do they live in?
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ATeutonicKnight
Guest
What if they’re in their eighties and aren’t able to drive as well as others? That’s a legitimate reason not to drive to Mass, even if it’s in your town. I would, however, recommend finding someone to drive them. A taxi at least.
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followingtheway
Guest
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puzzleannie
Guest
of course not. If there is no Mass available where they live they have no obligation. If age and infirmity make it to hard to attend that is another reason why someone might not have a Mass obligation. (not age alone, but coupled with infirmity that perhaps means they can’t drive). I am sure they know that so don’t make it a source of anxiety for them. Even if the only Mass is in another language and you can get to it, you do have an obligation. Except for the most rural areas the whole state is served for most of the year. If they call the parish they may find there is a transportation service for seniors. If they live in assisted living that is also sometimes provided.
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Defender1
Guest
If there is no catholic churches in the area One of the ,eastern Orthadox churches if in the area is a substitute and the closest thing to Roman Catholic mass .It is better then not attending anything at that point is it not? Think about it . This is If and only IF they cannot find their way to a Catholic church that is far far away . Think hard about it before reply .
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JReducation
Guest
There are exceptions, but you’re right, they are rare. It’s not so much that it’s a grave sin, Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict have clarified this. It’s a case of pretending to have a communion where it does not yet exist. It is not a grave sin to receive the Eucharist. That was reworded by Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Ratzinger in the Code of 1983.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
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