Francis Berger
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The Roman Catholic Church in Hungary Shows Its Virtue By Offering Virtual Mass

3/17/2020

5 Comments

 
The Roman Catholic Church In Hungary has decided to bar people from Sunday Mass until further notice.

But there's no reason to despair, Mass will still be held! A virtual Mass! Yes, priests will still show up and conduct Masses in their churches throughout the country, but the churches will otherwise be empty. No need to wake up, get dressed, and trudge down to the old cathedral. Best of all, these Masses will be recorded live and broadcast to parishioners who will now be able to enjoy the holy service from the comfort of their own homes. 

Think of the luxury! I mean, you could participate in Mass wrapped in a Snuggy! Or your underwear! Rumor has it the clergy have come up with some special 3D effects for the communion. Heck, why watch it live? Why not just record the Mass? This way you can fast-forward through the dull bits and tailor the service to your own liking.

But what about those who, for whatever strange reason, actually miss being physically present in church? Well have no fear, churches will still be open for private prayers - as long as fewer than . . . what? Twenty? Fifteen? Ten people show up at the same time? And as long as they stay at least a meter apart from each other. 

I'm making light of this, but in reality it's no laughing matter. Regardless, these actions reveal some uncomfortable yet meaningful truths. As Bruce Charlton very perceptively pointed out on his blog yesterday, the Roman Catholic Church, together with nearly all other Christian churches, has essentially told Christians that they are on their own. 


Extra ecclesiam nulla salus?

Sum howa I doubtimus it.  
5 Comments
bruce charlton
3/17/2020 18:24:37

It used to be said that excommunication meant a person was consigned to damnation.

Now the RC church has excommunicated *everyone* except its priests.

Reply
Francis Berger
3/17/2020 18:51:50

@ Bruce - Oddly enough, I am neither surprised nor disappointed by this. It only serves to once again verify an intuition I have held about the RC Church since I was thirteen-years-old.

That intuition inspired me to refuse confirmation at that age. I occasionally regretted that decision, but now I fully understand my thirteen-year-old intuition was spot on.

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John Luiten
3/17/2020 23:20:22

Brings back old memories of childhood when Christmas Eve Mass was shown on TV. My not so devoted family would crowd in front of the TV to witness the mass. Since we were of the celebrating type, there was drinks and food, extended family, and a good time was had by all. And yes, this was considered by the family to fulfill our holy day obligation. Who knew it would take the Church so much longer to catch up?

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Cererean
3/18/2020 16:23:19

Huh. Are they not letting people in a few at a time to receive the host? If the priest and deacons wash their hands and take care, there should be very little infection risk. I don't know that much about their stance on the Eucharist, but I don't *think* they need to eat from the same loaf and drink from the same chalice for it to be valid.

Or if there's anything that would preclude deacons from taking around the consecrated bread and wine to people's houses in sanitised communion packs...

Reply
Francis Berger
3/18/2020 18:57:56

@ C- There are many things they could do, but what they ultimately choose to do reveals everything. This is a time of revelations. There are no shadows left to hide in. People and institutions will plainly show themselves which side they are on.

My priest will conduct a congregation-free Mass this Sunday in the little village I call home. I am planning to attend. I need to see what his reaction to my presence will be. That will determine the rest, as far as I'm concerned.

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