September 4, 2020

A quick guide to when one is not obligated to attend Sunday Mass

The bishops of the Province of Indianapolis—which is comprised of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Dioceses of Gary, Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend and Lafayette—have extended the dispensation from the Sunday obligation through Nov. 1. After consideration of the accompanying article, here is a quick guide to when one is not obligated to attend Sunday Mass:

1. By virtue of impossibility; for example, the pastor is sick and had to cancel Sunday Masses.

2. By virtue of the dispensation granted; for example, you are seriously ill, or if not seriously ill, your health condition will be compromised if you were to contract a communicable illness.

3. By virtue of the dispensation granted; for example, you have good reason to think you might be asymptomatic of a contagious illness (e.g., you were in recent contact with one who contracted a contagion).

4. By virtue of the dispensation granted; for example, you exhibit flu-like symptoms.

5. By virtue of excuse; for example, you have a number of comorbidities which place you at high risk for complications from COVID-19.

6. By virtue of canon law; for example, you care for the sick, homebound or infirmed, and are not able to attend Mass. †

 

Related story: Canon law, COVID-19 and our dispensation from attending Sunday Mass

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