UK Bishops: No Mass Obligation at Christmas. Concentrate On Turkey, Trimmings & Fun!
From Catholic Herald (with editorial comment from Catholic Truth)…
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days will not be restored in time for Christmas because of the continuing threat from COVID-19.
Editor: Gimme a break. Any “threat” is limited to the very old, and even then only those with other underlying conditions are at any risk. Gerragrip.
The bishops of England and Wales wanted to bring back the obligation by the First Sunday of Advent but have conceded that the pandemic meant it was still too dangerous to expect vulnerable people to go to church.
Editor: Conceded? To whom? Lazy lay Catholics-in-Name-Only? Lazy episcopal or clergy Catholics-in-Name-Only? There’s nothing to “concede” – the alleged vulnerable (elderly, e.g.) are never obliged to attend Mass. It’s the rest of us who are obliged, as if you don’t know that. Some of us haven’t missed a single Sunday Mass since the churches were re-opened (thanks to the 27 Protestant Ministers who challenged the Scottish Government in court – and won.) So, stop trying to pull the wool. We’re onto you. The lot of you.
Canon Christopher Thomas, the general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said the prevalence of the virus and the potentially deadly risk of infection meant that many people were still not free to attend Mass.
Editor: Nonsense. To repeat: that’s no reason to ditch the obligation for everyone else. That didn’t used to happen. Priest: Old Mrs Smith isn’t feeling well this week, so the rest of you can stay home / support the sports & leisure centre / save your local shops.
It means that this year there will be no obligation for Catholics to go to church either during Advent or on Christmas Day.
Editor: Disgraceful. I can’t find the words to express my shock. But read on – I’ve found some…
When asked at a London press conference (pictured) if it would be a sin not to attend Mass on the Nativity of the Lord, he replied: “No.”
Editor: Pity nobody asked if the bishops were guilty of sin by belittling the Sunday obligation to worship God… or something. There has to be an episcopal sin in there somewhere, surely?
The bishops are encouraging people who are not vulnerable to make going to Mass a higher priority on Sundays than “sports or shopping”, however.
Editor: That’s priceless. The perfectly healthy are “encouraged” (not obliged) to put Mass over sports or shopping. Shucks. Talk about lowering the bar. I don’t drink, but if I could find a bar right now, I’d order a stiff whisky or ten.
“The Sunday Eucharist is a gift,” the bishops said in a statement called “Honouring Sunday” at the end of their autumn plenary meeting in Leeds, the first they have attended in person since the pandemic that has killed 144,000 people in the UK.
Editor: Oh for the email address of that lucky fly on the wall – assuming (perhaps uncharitably) that their meeting in Leeds was held at some posh venue, nice meal(s) etc. I wonder if they discussed where they’d be spending Christmas, their preferred pronoun main course (turkey, chicken or, let me think.. goose).
“As God’s holy people we are called to praise and thank God in the most sublime way possible,” they said.
Editor: That means the Traditional Latin Mass.
“When the Church speaks of the Sunday obligation, it reminds us that attending Mass is a personal response to the selfless offering of Christ’s love.
Editor: Attending Mass is a tad more than that, to quote the Catechism of the Council of Trent: “… it must be taught without any hesitation that, as the holy Council (of Trent) has also) explained, the sacred and holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not a Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving only, or a mere commemoration of the Sacrifice performed on the cross, but also truly a propitiatory Sacrifice, by which God is appeased and rendered propitious to us. If, therefore, with a pure heart, a lively faith, and affected with an inward sorrow for our transgressions, we immolate and offer this most holy victim, we shall, without doubt, obtain mercy from the Lord, and grace in time of need; for SO delighted is the Lord with the door of this victim that, bestowing on us the gift of grace and repentance, He pardons our sins. Hence this usual prayer of the Church: As often as the commemoration of this victim is celebrated, so often is the work of our salvation being done; that is to say, through this unbloody Sacrifice flow to us the most plenteous fruits of that bloody victim.” Ends.
“At this time, we recognise that for some people there may be certain factors which hinder attendance at Sunday Mass,” they continued. “The pandemic is clearly not over. The risk of infection is still present. For some, there is legitimate fear in gathering together.
Editor: Except, it seems, for sports, shopping and other leisure and social activities.
“As your bishops, we recognise that these prevailing circumstances suggest that not everyone is yet in the position to fulfil the absolute duty to attend freely Sunday Mass.”
Editor: at the time of this announcement, the prevailing circumstances included fewer hospitalisations and deaths. No need for any fear. Never has been, of course.
“We now encourage all Catholics to look again at the patterns which they have formed in recent months with regard to going to Mass on Sundays,” the bishops added. “This would include consideration and reflection about what we might do on Sundays, such as sports or shopping, or other leisure and social activities.
Editor: er… if folks are so fearful of “the virus”, this deadly virus from which almost 100% of those who become infected recover, surely they won’t be gathering for sports, shopping or other leisure and social activities – although the bishops fail to point that out – just sayin’
“This review, and the decisions which arise from it, fall to every Catholic and we trust this will be done with honesty, motivated by a real love for the Lord whom we encounter in the Mass.”
Editor: Notice that the talk is all about the love of the Lord, with no mention of the importance of a healthy fear of the Lord. That’s because the bishops don’t appear to have any.
From the early days of the pandemic many churches and cathedral (sic) in the UK have broadcast live Masses over the internet, and such live-streaming permitted many people to practise their faith differently, including by making acts of “spiritual communion”.
Editor: Isn’t it odd that spiritual communions are not good enough for those living in manifest public sin – they must be admitted to sacramental Holy Communion – but now that it makes episcopal and clergy life easier, spiritual communions for all and sundry are all the rage.
The bishops said they wanted to make a statement about the importance of Sunday Mass as people “begin returning to more regular patterns of parish life”. Source
Editor: “…the importance of Sunday Mass”… yeah right. The entire statement is saying precisely the opposite.
Meanwhile, north of the border…
Scotland’s bishops likewise want everyone to enjoy a God-free Christmas. Seems a bit extreme, right enough, to drag religion into everything, even Christmas. They have chosen 2nd January, to reinstate the obligation. Click here to read their equally weak – and revealing – Pastoral Letter on the subject.
Editor writes…
I can’t see a sudden rush of Catholics keen to observe the once-sacred Sunday/Holy Days’ obligation breaking down their local church doors any time soon (or perhaps more accurately, ever again) – do you? I think removing the obligation will prove to have been the own goal to beat all own goals. Personally, I know of at least two people, previously attendees at the Traditional Latin Mass, who haven’t been back since the obligation was removed. I doubt if they’ll ever return. The original goats in the award winning production The Sheep & The Goats. Any Catholic who is so terrified of this virus and, by extension, possible (albeit very remotely possible) death, is about as Catholic as the nearest Jehovah’s Witness. And if they’re NOT terrified of a “Covid-related death” and have just gotten used to a relaxing Sunday without the hassle of getting to Mass, then, again, they’re about as Catholic as… you’ll get my drift.
Comments (34)
The mitred heads have spoken. The sheep must listen and go figuring! Thanks for more confusion, Bishops. How can you forget adoring the new little Christ child? You have forgotten Him. Think about it! The alternative is not a pretty sight! Think about it! Thank you, Editor, for timely and appropriate comments. Will pray for the bishops who are so important to God that He called them and gave them a special character on their soul in order to guide the sheep of the diocese well.
Mary Anne,
Your admonishment to the bishops that they have forgotten the Christ Child gets to the heart of the matter. They have long forgotten Him, sad to say.
It was to be expected that these men without chests and often, seemingly, without much faith would find another reason to make themselves redundant. The clue was in not restoring the Sunday obligation in the middle of the summer but instead to propose waiting until respiratory virus season. I doubt it will ever be restored with all the wishy washy, do what you want, synodal synodality synod bilge coming down the tracks.
As one Famous or however you look at it infamous U.S.A. Cardinal said ” Lets not go down a Rabbit Hole on this , for after all Pope Francis has other important things to take care of like Global Warming ,Immigration and The Poor “. The same applies to Our Bishops as Andrew says they are just after Holding Many Meetings on Global Warming and Sinnods on Sinnodality for the next coming up Sinnod on Sinnodality for Sinnods on Sinnodality to be really concerned whether the Churches under their supposed Supervision Hold Mass on a Sunday. As long as the Money for their ( Inexpensive) upkeep keeps on Flowing in then why bother.
After all their really only following The Godfather. Anyhow it’s also plain to see now as regards the Sheep and The Goats who’s really Career Clergymen and who went into the Priesthood as a real Vocation.
FOOF,
Your concluding sentence is on the button.
Andrew Q,
“making themselves redundant” is exactly what these bishops are doing, except they don’t realise it. I wish the Vatican would amalgamate Scotland’s 8 dioceses into two or three (at most). We don’t need eight unemployed bishops draining resources.
Andrew Q,
Sadly, I think you’re right about the Sunday obligation not being restored. The seeds are being sown right now – people “encouraged” to place Mass above sports and shopping etc. The Ten Commandments are now The Ten Suggestions – and even then, only if the individual likes the suggestion!
ED just think if you were back Teaching you could look on the Bright Side .
Instead of Teaching 10 Commandments you’d only have to teach 8 . I mean Bergoglio has already wiped out Adultery as a Sin , so no Sunday Obligation makes 8.
Andrew Q
That’s so true, that the bishops are making themselves redundant. It’s a wonder they don’t realise that fact, also the priests.
The ability to just walk into a city centre church for Confession is now gone, as well as the Sunday Mass obligation.
The whole atmosphere in the world now is horrible.
I wonder why the bishops are not warning about the supposed ‘dangers’ of secular activities, where many people congregate together? If this is such a danger to people, why aren’t they petitioning the government to stop these large events? Yesterday, not a million miles from me, a certain Rugby Ground held a match with +45,000 people in attendance. Note: the RFU didn’t stop the game because of any supposed ‘dangers’, nor did they make people wear masks or try to ascertain the vaccine status of those attending. It’s just another facet of the diabolical disorientation that Sr Lucia of Fatima warned us about.
westminsterfly,
They know perfectly well that there’s nothing to worry about anywhere except churches. This is some virus – knows the time, knows the geography and now it goes to church, LOL! A religious virus
Nicky,
That’s all we need – the scientists identifying this virus as a Catholic – goodness, we’d all need to go into hiding 😀
WF,
I think you know the answer to your own question – the bishops don’t petition the government, and warn people away from large events, because they know perfectly well – as Nicky says – that there is no danger.
This Covid “crisis” is helpful to them – they can cover-up the widespread decline in the practice of the Faith by using the excuse of the virus to prolong the dispensation from the Sunday obligation. Then, when even more people lapse, they can point to the emergency dispensation to blame the faithless faithful. Get it?
What a useless shower the mainstream Bishops are. Like Laurel and Hardy in Mitre and Cope.
Editor makes an excellent observation that when it comes to grave public sinners, the Church attitude is that they absolutely must receive Holy Communion at all costs. But for anyone else, a remote spiritual communion is fine.
Do they really think everyone is hiding away in a cupboard somewhere? No – at Christmas, people will be on work nights out, trooping around busy shops, having family gatherings etc. No-one would ever dream of saying anything of this ilk was merely optional. Of course not, its only religious observance which is of such little importance.
I think we have another case of faithless “manager” Bishops thinking they have hit upon a secular vehicle to demonstrate their great relevance. But in reality they are only making fools of themselves and undercutting themselves.
I think many superficial Catholics are being subtlety taught that Mass attendance is not important. I suppose this was the next step in the destruction of the Church.
Its notable how the mainstream Church has pursued a very protestant line on this – falling over themselves to close Churches and remove obligations. My mother in law is a protestant and has not attended services for nigh on 2 years now. I would not hold my breath as regard her ever doing so again. People of all backgrounds will adjust their lives and find that they do not really miss their Sunday observance and much prefer a long lie, stroll or visit to the Coffee shop.
Gabriel Syme,
“Useless shower” just about sums up the UK Bishops – but hey, poor old Laurel and Hardy, what have they ever done to you to be thus insulted? 😀
As for the Christmas nights out, etc. – spot on. And yes, the message is getting out and about that Mass is really not essential. Not like sports and leisure, shopping etc.
It’s sad. Tragic, really.
Time to fly the white flag of surrender over every cathedral in the UK.
RCA Victor,
It seems they’ve already done that in France where reports are circulating about plans to create a “woke” interior in the former glorious Notre Dame Cathedral, as part of the post-fire “restoration”
It’s hard to believe this. Bishops actually telling people they don’t need to keep the Sunday obligation even at Christmas! It’s beyond belief.
Everybody, more or less, is living as normal, as far as I can tell, just the nitwits who enjoy being afraid and want to wear masks etc. Normal people are SO over it, now.
This is just laziness IMHO. Now with the new variant, what’s the bet that the Scottish Bishop postpone 2nd January? We’re at the “any excuse is better than none” stage.
Josephine,
I would not be one bit surprised if the obligation is postponed due to this extremely non-deadly new variant.
I’m not surprised about the Sunday obligation – that’s gone now. It’s shocking, of course it is, but it’s exactly the same as the politicians. Give them more power over you and they won’t hand it back. Give the priests an easier life, and they won’t hand it back. They will all pay in the next life, if not in this one. That’s what they are all forgetting.
I agree, the Sunday obligation has gone for good, just like our freedom.
Laura,
That’s what I think as well – the Sunday obligation won’t be enforced from now on. We’re “encouraged” to attend but that’s it.
RCA Victor,
Neil is brilliant. He’s about the only GB presenter who doesn’t modify his criticisms of the pro-lockdown, pro-vaccine policies by saying “of course, I’m double jabbed myself….” Given that he stated early on (when the pro-child-vax propaganda hit the TV screens) that HIS children wouldn’t be jabbed, I strongly suspect that he has NOT taken the poison.
St. Alphonsus Liguori:
“It is certain that [the Mass] will cease on earth in the time of Antichrist: the sacrifice of the Mass will be suspended … according to the prophecy of Daniel (Dan. 12:11).” The devil has always tried, through heretics, to deprive the world of the Mass, making them the forerunners of the Antichrist, who, first of all, will try to abolish and will abolish the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as a punishment for the sins of men, according to the prediction of Daniel: “And power was given him against the continual sacrifice.”
In this Luciferian-engineered and coordinated “crisis,” I think we are seeing a preview of the time of the Antichrist, in more ways than one.
RCA Victor,
Your comment on the constant efforts to destroy the Mass is timeous. Here’s the latest, shocking, news from the World of Liturgy… Surely there will be an effective outcry to prevent this scandal?
The damaged Notre Dame Cathedral will be modernized. The new design will reportedly replace the cathedral’s confessional boxes, altars, and classical sculptures with modern art murals. It will also add sound and light effects to create “emotional spaces.”
https://thelibertydaily.com/neil-olivers-criticism-of-covid-protocols-is-absolute-poetry/
Is there any belief in Hell nowadays? Rhetorical question! It is so sad to be thinking this way, for how many will be making a journey towards it, without contemplating about the four last things, Death, Judgement, Heaven or Hell.
During penal times in Ireland the Irish recited the rosary, or the “dry Mass”, as it was termed, if they were unable to attend Mass. So why wasn`t the rosary encouraged during the church closures? Probably
because none of them believe in practises previously enjoyed by “peasants”. You see: you have to try and look intelligent nowadays and the rosary would be quite demeaning for most of them.
Despite their re-imposing of the Sunday obligation to attend Mass, i was under the impression that it was always in operation and was only a temporary dispensation that would automatically end when people went back to Mass, they still haven`t mentioned the ban on communion on the tongue or gave any lndication as to whether they ever intend to turn the holy water fonts into a position where they could once again hold holy water.
I am the only person in my parish who can`t/hasn`t receive(d) holy communion since the pandemic started.
I don`t think it would put anyone in danger to give it to me last and the priest could then finish by washing his hands. The comical scenario is that a person could leave his home by opening and then closing the door behind hm, open a garden gate and then his car door, drive to church, agan open a door, lift a church bulletin and hymn book, and then, after touching a pew, go and take holy communion in the hand. And they argue that is safer than taking it on the tongue. ?????
Frankier,
They don’t like Communion on the tongue because it represents the belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood soul and divinity, under the appearance of bread. Most priests don’t believe that any more.
Last week at Mass the priest stepped down from the altar and picked up a host that had obviously been dropped and just popped it into his mouth like a sweetie. No inspection, cursory or otherwise, of the carpet where the host lay was carried out.
A big difference from the required procedure that the nuns used to describe to us when we were at school.
Frankier
Your priest treated the Blessed Sacrament (if, indeed, it was such) so casually because, as Michaela suggests, he – more likely than not – doesn’t believe in Transubstantiation. I can’t think of any other explanation – can you?
Editor
It`s hard to disagree with you.
Frankier,
I know it might not be easy, but why not just ask your priest if he believes in Transubstantiation because if he doesn’t there’s no way his Masses are valid.
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