No go Countries as a Catholic

[JulianN]

I don’t know about his priest, but I double checked with a moral theologian. It will probably surprise no one on this thread, except perhaps one, that there is no requirement to do the impossible. And no requirement nor even principle of prudential judgment that one should refrain from travel to places where Mass may not be available.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Hmmm, okay everyone, you don’t have to cancel your travel plans to North Korea and Saudi Arabia after all.


However, on a practical note…

1. It’s still necessary to ask a priest / your priest for the dispensation??
2. It’s still necessary to be having some sort of private devotion on that Sunday? (I would think?)

(I had considered being an outdoor leader for a non-Catholic backcountry / expedition ministry that spends up to 30 days in the back country, so I had to ask my pastor about the Sunday Mass obligation precept of the Church.)

 

[1ke]

It’s still necessary to ask a priest / your priest for the dispensation??

You don’t need a dispensation. No availability of sacred minister = no obligation. Dispensations are for times that you can go to mass but are asking for a dispensation from the obligation.

It’s still necessary to be having some sort of private devotion on that Sunday? (I would think?)

There isn’t a specific requirement to do something instead of Mass when you can’t go like watch it on TV, read certain prayers, etc.

The general command to keep the Sabbath (or in this case the Lord’s Day) holy still exists and includes relaxation. I would think a vacation is relaxation. From the catechism:

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.

 

[JamalChristophr]

What would be a common example(s) of when a dispensation from the Sunday mass attendance obligation might be requested?