When Masses resume

[Lucy_1]

When masses resume again, will Bishops offer dispensation to miss mass for those who are high risk or are limiting their interactions with others? Or is no dispensation needed because that’s a valid excuse to miss mass ? It doesn’t seem right that people will have to go to confession each week because they’re trying to protect themselves and their families. And could they even be absolved since they’re just going to do it again the next week? Is it possible that Bishops might allow people to attend a weekday, less crowded mass to count for Sunday? I don’t see them increasing the number of Sunday Masses, at least in our parishes priests are already overworked.

 

[Convert3]

You shouldn’t worry about things like that. They’re not going to play “gotcha!”

Seriously, there’s no reason to worry. I’m sure it will be well thought out and communicated to us.

 

[Glennon_P]

It’ll be up to the bishop to decide for his diocese. I suspect many bishops will hold off on reinstating the Sunday obligation just so older parishioners - those at highest risk for infection - will stay home. But that’s a guess.

 

[1ke]

When masses resume again, will Bishops offer dispensation to miss mass for those who are high risk or are limiting their interactions with others?

Well, Lucy, we don’t really know that. They haven’t said.

But, those who need to stay isolated can certainly do so just as they did before coronavirus. They don’t need a dispensation when they have a serious reason that excuses them.

 

[OraLabora]

I am diabetic. I will use my prudential judgement to determine when it is safe for me to return. Grave reasons do not require a dispensation, and I certainly won’t let someone who is not my doctor determine what risk exposure is appropriate in my circumstances.

 

[Zaccheus]

When masses resume again, will Bishops offer dispensation to miss mass for those who are high risk or are limiting their interactions with others? Or is no dispensation needed because that’s a valid excuse to miss mass ?

We are permitted to miss Sunday Mass for a serious reason. The pandemic is most surely serious.
If you’re really uncertain, then once public Masses resume, consult your parish priest.

 

[GEddie]

Catholic Mass is by definition non-social distancing. Particularly if one is to receive the Eucharistic Body, a face mask would be pointless.

I imagine that in the first stages of the recovery, Masses will be reinstated, but observance will be optional until other forms of social distancing (masks, etc.) are rescinded by civic authority.

ICXC NIKA

 

[puer.dei]

I will. Not to protect myself, but to protect others incase I catch it but don’t know it yet.

 

[PeterT]

The departments of public health of some countries or states might require those gathered in large groups (like those attending a Mass) to wear a mask.

Of course if that’s the case, one could still receive Holy Communion but it would most likely be in the hand and then one would need to carefully remove their mask to place the Blessed Sacrament in their mouth. Yes, it could be a bit cumbersome but still doable.

 

[SMHW]

At least where I live, the Archbishop gave a dispensation from the requirement to attend Sunday Mass prior to halting the celebration of public Masses altogether. The final week before public Masses were halted, our state government was limiting gatherings to maximum of 250 persons so that was the total number of people who were allowed to be at the single Mass that was celebrated at our parish. And family/friend groups had to be socially distanced from each other. (We normally have three masses on Sunday and one on Saturday evening.)

My guess is that when public Masses resume, there may still be a limit to the number of people who can attend. We might have to have lotteries to determine who could attend Mass! It would be unreasonable to require Sunday Mass attendance when there simply aren’t enough Masses to go around.

I suspect the dispensations from attending Mass will continue for some time.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

When masses resume again, will Bishops offer dispensation to miss mass for those who are high risk or are limiting their interactions with others? Or is no dispensation needed because that’s a valid excuse to miss mass ?

It seems likely that there will be a dispensation for people with health issues or concerned about health of a family member. At the same time, I doubt that when lockdowns are lifted, most people are going to still be staying in their houses all day and avoiding any sort of gathering. So if somebody is able to go out to the park with 100 other people there, they should be able to go to Mass with proper distancing.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

I’m not even sure you need a dispensation if your reason for missing Mass is a legitimate health concern. I think you’re automatically excused.

 

[Lucy_1]

A lottery would be kind of cool! Probably kind of a pain to organize though.

 

[Mrchatsworth]

Since the bishops seem to be acting in the most cautious ways possible in regard to public gathering I don’t think you will have the issue of an obligation that is unsafe or dangerous.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I likely will. I have a compromised immune system due to a rare condition, and despite staying home and only venturing out once per week for necessities, I’ve had an uptick recently in non-COVID symptoms. That may be coincidental, but I see no reason to play games of chance any more than I already am.