Sunday Obligation

  • Thread starter Thread starter nickybr38
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
N

nickybr38

Guest
I asked an Apologist but thought I would ask here as well.

If one lives in a community where severe liturgical abuses are being committed daily (some are borderline sacrilegious, for example, allowing the laity to walk up to the altar and remove the Body of Christ from the paten on their own), and one wishes to shield their children from these abuses… would one be exempted from their Sunday Obligation?

The family in question cannot attend another parish (there is only one parish in the area), the Bishop has been contacted but he has made no move to correct these abuses.
 
No I would not say so from my first thoughts.

But one can go the extra mile or miles as the case may be to find a Church where things are done correctly.
 
I think it depends. If there is another, more orthodox, parish within driving distance then I’d say you’re obligated to go there. If not… I’m not sure… I agree with your desire to shield your children from such awful practices, but at the same time you have a requirement to teach them about their obligation… sorry I can’t be more help…
 
Here’s the thing - as long as the parish isn’t doing something that invalidates the Mass, you would still be obligated to attend Mass. There can be a lot of liturgical abuses taking place and the Mass can still be valid. Is the area so remote that there isn’t another parish within, let’s say, an hour’s drive?
 
nickybr38 said:
I asked an Apologist but thought I would ask here as well.

If one lives in a community where severe liturgical abuses are being committed daily (some are borderline sacrilegious, for example, allowing the laity to walk up to the altar and remove the Body of Christ from the paten on their own), and one wishes to shield their children from these abuses… would one be exempted from their Sunday Obligation?
Click to expand...
I’d be more worried about possible automatic excommunications but I’ll wait to hear the Apologist’s response.
 
nickybr38 said:
I asked an Apologist but thought I would ask here as well.

If one lives in a community where severe liturgical abuses are being committed daily (some are borderline sacrilegious, for example, allowing the laity to walk up to the altar and remove the Body of Christ from the paten on their own), and one wishes to shield their children from these abuses… would one be exempted from their Sunday Obligation?
Click to expand...
One can talk to their pastor about a dispensation from their Sunday Obligation, but liturgical abuse is not listed in canon law as one of the reasons for dispensation.

Just to clarify, is everyone walking up and self-communicating, or was this a single person/incident. We have someone do this and place the host in a pix for delivering communion to the home-bound.
 
nickybr38 said:
I asked an Apologist but thought I would ask here as well.

If one lives in a community where severe liturgical abuses are being committed daily (some are borderline sacrilegious, for example, allowing the laity to walk up to the altar and remove the Body of Christ from the paten on their own), and one wishes to shield their children from these abuses… would one be exempted from their Sunday Obligation?

The family in question cannot attend another parish (there is only one parish in the area), the Bishop has been contacted but he has made no move to correct these abuses.
Click to expand...
This does not rise to the level of exempting one from their obligation of attending Mass on Sunday. Instead of trying to shield the children, the parents should take time to explain about the Mass.
 
The family in question is close to me. I have been trying to be a support in this time. After witnessing a Mass in which the parishioners were invited to the altar to remove the Eucharist from the paten on their own, this family will not be attending Mass.

I have tried to explain to them that they are still required to attend due to Sunday Obligation but they are refusing due to these abuses and others. Their concern is corrupting their children’s faith.

(There are many, many abuses in this particular parish. This just being the most shocking of the lot).
 
I guess I don’t know where to go from here. I’ll share with her the information I’ve found and then let them make their own decision I guess… but I suspect they will not be attending Mass again.
 
Well, isn’t “not attending Mass” also corrupting their children’s faith?

I would still work toward change by either addressing issues with the priest, and if that does not work, the bishop. Bishops are pretty busy so he may be addressing this. The investigation and action may take some time. It may take more than one attempt to call enough attention to the situation to have it investigated.

They need to know that they are wrong for not attending Mass at all, or making some effort to attend Mass at a church further away. IT looks like they are making excuses to not attend.
 
I have encouraged her to contact the Bishop (which she has done) and am now encouraging her to contact the Holy See.

It’s hard to understand but we really have a … corrupt diocese here.

We have a Bishop who instructs the priests not to speak about abortion, gay marriage, homosexuality, etc. because it ‘offends’ parishioners.

We have a Bishop who has instructed the priests never to conduct Latin mass.

We have parishes who won’t display the crucifix because it’s ‘upsetting’.

We have parish councils who tell the priest what to do and threaten to have him ‘removed’ if he refuses to listen.

We have Masses where children and parishioners alike approach and dance around the altar with absolutely no regard to the holy.

We have a Bishop who has instructed the priests NOT to administer communion on the tongue (even for those who request it) because it’s divisive’.

I understand why this family no longer wishes to attend. I really do. It’s easy for me because I’m single and I can tell the difference between the divine and profane but when you have children in the mix TELLING them about the Mass isn’t enough when they see people being completely irreverent whenever they GO to the Mass.
 
Dioceses have various parishes and even monasteries…where one can attend a Mass.

They also have borders (I can drive a bit and I am in a another diocese) (do *not *though say where this is. Just noting that one may attend Mass anywhere in the world).

I do not think that ones obligation is removed because there are problems with the liturgy.
 
Bookcat said:
Dioceses have various parishes and even monasteries…where one can attend a Mass.

They also have borders (I can drive a bit and I am in a another diocese) (do *not *though say where this is. Just noting that one may attend Mass anywhere in the world).

I do not think that ones obligation is removed because there are problems with the liturgy.
Click to expand...
She is in a very remote area. Unfortunately there is only one parish where she lives. Nothing nearby.
 
No one is bound to do the impossible, the legal axiom states. “Moral impossibility” is a kind of impossibility. One could argue that attending such a gravely illicit Mass is “morally impossible.”

That being said, I know of no traditional “manual” which addressed such a thing–in the days when such manuals were written, nobody ever considered such innovations in the Mass and how one could legitimately respond to them.

Personally, I’d not consider myself excused from the obligation–it’s still Mass and I’m obliged to participate. The innovations could be “teaching moments” of a good kind and not necessarily lead to error in the children.

Dan
 
=nickybr38;12904264]I asked an Apologist but thought I would ask here as well.
Click to expand...
If one lives in a community where severe liturgical abuses are being committed daily (some are borderline sacrilegious, for example, allowing the laity to walk up to the altar and remove the Body of Christ from the paten on their own), and one wishes to shield their children from these abuses… would one be exempted from their Sunday Obligation?
Click to expand...
The family in question cannot attend another parish (there is only one parish in the area), the Bishop has been contacted but he has made no move to correct these abuses.
Click to expand...
Thanks for asking Nicky;

Your’s is a very sad condition.:o

In order to answer you more fully I would have to know the exent of you’re Catholic Faith formation and the age of your children.

“Keep Holy the Sabbath day” is one of GODS Commandments, so no, we are not excused from fulfilling this obligation.

So long as the Mass is “Valid” using the unlevended bread & wine & using the specified Words of Consecration; this Is My Body; this Is My Blood; the Mass is still Valid.

You’re contacting the Bishops Office fulfills your obligation.

As to how to handle your kids: this depends on their ages. If they are too young to comprehend the abuses; let it remain undisclosed. If they are old enough to recognize the error on THEIR OWN; conform their right understanding.

GREAT care has to be exercised here as there exist the high probably of slander and of ruining the “good name” of your priest and Bishop. That dear friend is NOT permitted, and sinful.

Christ endured so very much for us; this is an opportunity for you and your family to now endure these abuses for Christ. Offer them up for the Poor Souls, or even for the conversion of your priest and Bishop.

Do not discuss these issues with others in the parish for the very same reasons.👍

PRAY much and continue to teach your family what is the Right thing to do when it is an important matter. Let “minor” abuses slide, so the kids don’t become discouraged, or say bad things that you taught them about your priest. Kids WILL BE kids.

God Bless you,

Patrick
 
It seems like not bringing the children to Mass would do more to harm their spiritual development than their witnessing some liturgical abuses, especially if the parents use the drive home to talk about how they are sad to see these problems in the church but continue to attend because nothing could keep them away from their Lord.

I understand it’s a remote parish, but really, how remote? Is the next nearest parish a half hour or 45 minutes away?
 
nodito said:
It seems like not bringing the children to Mass would do more to harm their spiritual development than their witnessing some liturgical abuses, especially if the parents use the drive home to talk about how they are sad to see these problems in the church but continue to attend because nothing could keep them away from their Lord.

I understand it’s a remote parish, but really, how remote? Is the next nearest parish a half hour or 45 minutes away?
Click to expand...
Next nearest parish is over two hours. This is a new family with very young children.
 
As a catholic you must attend mass every sunday by not doing so this family are doing wrong by their children. I notice on here in a lot of threads people worry about how things should be done and I must report to the bishop but I believe if you attend mass with a clear intention and a faithful heart you are doing the right thing. my advice is attend sunday mass.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top