Q. Does watching Mass on TV “count” for our Sunday obligation?
A. This is a very timely question, especially during the uncertainty of the reality of the coronavirus. Thank you for asking it.
Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha and Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt of Grand Island suspended the obligation to attend Mass for Catholics in Nebraska March 13. This was due to the emerging and uncertain circumstances surrounding the coronavirus.
The Catholic Church in Nebraska has been working with civil authorities and local jurisdictions to try to do what they believe is best for all of the citizens of Nebraska. Because of the unknowns of coronavirus, civil and religious authorities are doing their best to try to contain the spread of this virus by using best practices. This includes limiting the number of people at public gatherings and the proximity which people may have at these gatherings.
Obviously, this involves Catholic and public schools and religious services, especially Sunday Mass. In terms of the spread of this virus, all of us are in uncharted territory. We are learning as we move forward, and we want the best for all citizens.
As most readers know as of March 16 Archbishop George Lucas, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Lincoln, suspended all public Masses in the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Diocese of Lincoln until further notice.
This was done in response to public authorities asking that any public gathering be limited to no more than 10 people in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
When the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended, the local bishop is asking Catholics to use prudential judgment as to what is best for themselves and their families. Sunday Mass—the celebration of the Eucharist—is always first and foremost in the life of a Catholic and should be an active priority in every Catholic’s Sunday observance. In such circumstances, if the Catholic judges that the risk of exposure to the coronavirus is great and may be injurious to his/her health; then the person may, for that Sunday, not attend Mass. In doing so, no mortal sin is incurred.
Bishop Hanefeldt of Grand Island had a great answer about this posted on the Nebraska Catholic Conference’s web site:
“...it is never a moral obligation to attend Mass when you are sick or if you are unable to attend Mass because you are a care-giver to someone who is dependent upon you for their health care needs. At the same time, the suspension of the obligation does not mean that you may not attend Mass. It simply means that if your prudential judgment determines that it is safer for you or for others that you not be there, then you are not incurring mortal sin in choosing to stay home. Those who choose to act on the dispensation are encouraged to attend a weekday Mass when crowds are smaller, but they are not obliged to do so.”
The words that are operative are: “does not mean that you may not attend Mass.” In other words, if you feel any risk to you is minimal and you want to attend Mass, you are certainly welcome and encouraged to do so. That is, if you want to attend Mass, by all means do.
I was very impressed with my parishioners. While Mass attendance was down a little, the number of attendees was very respectable. We scrubbed our church, wiped down the pews, provided hand sanitizer, spread out and omitted any unnecessary contact. And it worked. I also would ask readers to consider, at least for the duration, to receive the Eucharist in the hand. Receiving in the hand is an equally respectful and reverent manner of reception as receiving on the tongue. Now is the time for us to work together, to pray together, and ask the Lord for direction.
Back to your question. Mass on television does not fulfill one’s Sunday obligation. That is, one cannot “go to Mass on TV.” However, the televised Mass does provide for people in real need—the infirmed, those homebound, and those for whom Mass attendance is a virtual impossibility—the possibility of remaining connected to the believing community. During this time of the coronavirus, Mass broadcast on television or the internet allows those who have valid reasons not to attend Mass to retain a degree of connectedness with their parish community.
In ordinary circumstances, one cannot skip Mass simply because of indifference, laziness, a sporting event, or something similar.
Again, the civil authorities in Nebraska and the Catholic bishops are doing an excellent job in looking out for the welfare of all of our state’s citizens and are doing their level best to give us guidance. Continue to look for guidance from them and your local pastor. Every parish community situation is going to be unique. I have spoken with many pastors in the last week, and these priests are very solicitous in the pastoral care of their people. Therefore, look to guidance from them. Many parishes have been very original and creative in trying to provide the sacraments especially the Eucharist in ways that allow Catholics to remain safe and to nurture their faith.
Continue to pray to the good Lord for containment of this virus and continuing deepening of our relationship with him with especially through the Eucharist. Thanks again for the question.
I encourage those who are unable to attend Mass in person to make an Act of Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I believe that
You are present in the
Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You
into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually
into my Heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be
separated from You. Amen.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
