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Sunday, March 15, 2020

OH MY!


Holy Week and Easter Liturgies with the Pope will be without congregations.


14 comments:

The Egyptian said...

what inefficiency (snark)
years ago my uncle attended St Charles Seminary, (Society of the Precious Blood) in Cathegina Ohio, Said it was like grand central in the mornings, priests in residence rang a bell for seminarians that were on call to serve masses, "some of those old guys had NO patience", He never was ordained, vat2 set in and he quit claimed it was like the nuts took over asylum, "just felt like there was no place for him there". My aunt left the convent about the same time before her final vows, for the same reason. My poor grandma mourned that for years, felt she had failed.

Joseph Johnson said...

According to a letter that was read and distributed to us at Mass, our bishop has mandated Communion in the hand only due to the virus. I have read that only the Pope could prohibit Communion on the tongue. I have never received in the hand in my 59 years and don’t plan to start. I have made Spiritual Communions for the past three weeks. I have been a PRE teacher for 20 years and my continuing commitment at my parish precludes my coming to the Savannah or Jacksonville Latin Masses unless we have a week off (my parish is in Waycross, Ga.). Your suggestions, Father McDonald, are welcome!

Joseph Johnson said...

According to Taylor Marshall, young AlexanderTschugguel is infected with Coronavirus and has been in the bed with a high fever for the past week. Alexander’s wife has asked for rosaries and prayers for his recovery. Alexander is the guy who threw the Pachamama idols into the Tiber.

Stephen Conner said...

Joseph Johnson, can you get to Richmond Hill for The Latin Mass on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.? I know that's not the point of fulfilling your Sunday obligation, but at least you would be able to receive our Blessed Lord on the tongue during that Mass! My parish in Dublin has gone Corona-crazy, so we went to the Latin Mass in Savannah today. At least for that time, my wife, son and I could focus on Christ and not that Corona Virus. Being at TLM today, with like-minded Catholics, was truly a gift from Almighty God!

Anonymous said...

Appreciate anyone's comments on this: Here in 30327 (city of Atlanta),the mayor has suspended all public gatherings of over 50 people with the authority to "shut down" places in violation. Are churches obliged to obey that? We had maybe 150 at our main Mass in 30327 yesterday. Of course, a priest is not going to know how many will show up for a Mass in these times. My pastor's attitude is that church will go on every Sunday, whether 2 layfolk are there or a thousand, but of course he does not expect the sick to show up.

Fr. Michael J. Kavanaugh said...

Yes, civic authorities can limit, for the common good or for public safety, ANY gathering, religious or otherwise.

And, yes, we are obliged to follow civic authorities if the order is just. And just because we don't agree with the order doesn't mean it is unjust.

Anonymous said...

So what is the criteria for what is a "just" order and what is not?

Fr. Michael J. Kavanaugh said...

A prudent ("acting with or showing care and thought for the future") decision taken with advice from experts and in consultation with others would constitute a just order.

Anonymous said...

Well, the bishops of both dioceses in Georgia just solved the controversy for us. No Masses allowed.

Joseph Johnson said...

Stephen, I appreciate your suggestion but Richmond Hill is almost as far as Savannah for me. I’d have to take half of the afternoon off to make it to the 6pm Mass. BUT—-it’s all a moot point as of today. I guess now I’ll be looking to going south to Jacksonville for Mass this weekend. If the diocesan Masses are cancelled then I think the SSPX Church there becomes a legitimate option. I’ve never been to an SSPX church or chapel. This could be interesting.

Anonymous said...

"A prudent ("acting with or showing care and thought for the future") decision taken with advice from experts and in consultation with others would constitute a just order."

Easily the most subjective statement I have read today. I'm sure that would bode well in our 100 years with dictators and communists...

The Church is weak and subject to the state...

Anonymous said...

The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia (based in Savannah) has done the same (no public worship). Front of their webpage shows the most recent Eucharist at the national cathedral.

This might be a time priests are not wild about such a directive, but in this litigious world, one does not want to risk a lawsuit against the diocese "I got COVID 19 at such and such a parish." I'm sure Augusta National thought about the same thing---you know those trial lawyers that advertise "been in a wreck? You're gonna need a big check." Or "Been in a crash? You're gonna need cash." Seems like half the commercials up here in 30327 are personal injury ones!

Also makes me wonder---Savannah's bishop is expected to be installed up here in Atlanta in about 50 days---if the crisis is still going on at that time, then what?

Fr. Michael J. Kavanaugh said...

"Easily the most subjective statement I have read today."

So how do you define a "just" order?

Fr. Michael J. Kavanaugh said...

If, in 50 days, there is still need for "social isolation," the installation of Archbishop-elect Hartmayer could be done in a simple ceremony, attended by only a few people.

Canon 382/2: §2. Unless he is prevented by a legitimate impediment, one promoted to the office of diocesan bishop must take canonical possession of his diocese within four months of receipt of the apostolic letter if he has not already been consecrated a bishop; if he has already been consecrated, within two months from receipt of this letter.

So, if he has received the apostolic letter of appointment, and I suspect he has, the clock is ticking. I don't think our current coronavirus matter would constitute a "legitimate impediment," since it would impede only a large celebration attended by many people, not the installation itself. I would think that, for the good of the Church of Atlanta, the installation should take place on the date scheduled.

(We priests joke that Canon 382/2 is the ONLY place in canon law that a priest is granted MORE than a bishop. The priest gets four months to make his transition from his current position to the Office of Bishop, while one already a bishop gets only two months to make the move!)