Reformation Catholicism and before

[Issa87]

You know how the Church of England was tyrannical towards those who did not want to practice Anglicanism? Was the Catholic Church ever like this? Did you HAVE to practice Catholicism? Or could you choose to not attend Mass at all during the middle ages and reformation years?

 

[Larryk113]

 

[Starwarsfan2]

You know how the Church of England was tyrannical towards those who did not want to practice Anglicanism? Was the Catholic Church ever like this? Did you HAVE to practice Catholicism? Or could you choose to not attend Mass at all during the middle ages and reformation years?

Heavy on the bias don’t ya think

 

[Genesis315]

You know how the Church of England was tyrannical towards those who did not want to practice Anglicanism? Was the Catholic Church ever like this? Did you HAVE to practice Catholicism? Or could you choose to not attend Mass at all during the middle ages and reformation years?

I’m not sure of of any instances of people being forced to go to Mass (there are plenty of examples of Saints complaining that no one was going to Mass and preaching missions to get them to return). From what I understand, heretics were historically punished for causing harm to the common good (and the common good includes the good of souls), not for violating the precept to attend Mass on Sundays. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if some overzealous person or group tried to force people to go to Mass at some point in history (we have a long history!).