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Is This a Pointer for England and Wales?
Topic Started: Friday, 24. August 2012, 16:41 (439 Views)
OsullivanB

The Irish Catholic
 
Church prepares for priestless parishes
Date:
23 Aug 2012
EXCLUSIVE
Michael Kelly
The Catholic bishops are drawing up radical new plans for parishes to hold Sunday services led by laypeople as more-and-more communities are set to be left without a priest for the first time. The problem will also become acute as larger parishes used to having several priests are being left with only one priest to serve several churches.
As the number of priests continues to decline and faced with an increasingly older age profile, Church leaders are being forced to take radical action that just a few years ago would have seemed unthinkable.
Sources have confirmed to The Irish Catholic that the matter is to be discussed at a meeting of the hierarchy in Maynooth in October. A ‘discussion document’ will be circulated to senior Church leaders in coming weeks which will set our plans for what parishioners can do when there is no priest to say Mass. Laypeople will be expected to take a lead role. However, married deacons, eight of whom have already been ordained, will also co-ordinate liturgies in the absence of a priest.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Derekap
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There are already parishes in England sharing one priest.

So Bernard, sooner than perhaps you realise, your parish may need you! And I don't think this excludes women, so Rose - standby!

As for me I would need a papal standing trolley and a wheelchair so may I be excused?
Derekap
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OsullivanB

Derekap
Friday, 24. August 2012, 17:28
As for me I would need a papal standing trolley and a wheelchair so may I be excused?
Certainly not!

While the article contained this sentence:
Quote:
 
Laypeople will be expected to take a lead role.
In your case it would be modified to this requirement:
Quote:
 
Laypeople will be expected to take a lead roll.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Derekap
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The Church would really be "Scraping the barrel" if it needed me to officiate!
Derekap
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OsullivanB

The last shall be first and the first last.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Derekap
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As long as I got in before St Peter locks the gate on the Last Day!
Derekap
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Rose of York
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OsullivanB
Friday, 24. August 2012, 16:41
The Irish Catholic
 
Church prepares for priestless parishes
Date:
23 Aug 2012
EXCLUSIVE
Michael Kelly
The Catholic bishops are drawing up radical new plans for parishes to hold Sunday services led by laypeople as more-and-more communities are set to be left without a priest for the first time. The problem will also become acute as larger parishes used to having several priests are being left with only one priest to serve several churches.
As the number of priests continues to decline and faced with an increasingly older age profile, Church leaders are being forced to take radical action that just a few years ago would have seemed unthinkable.
Sources have confirmed to The Irish Catholic that the matter is to be discussed at a meeting of the hierarchy in Maynooth in October. A ‘discussion document’ will be circulated to senior Church leaders in coming weeks which will set our plans for what parishioners can do when there is no priest to say Mass. Laypeople will be expected to take a lead role. However, married deacons, eight of whom have already been ordained, will also co-ordinate liturgies in the absence of a priest.
If this is a pointer for England and Wales we might end up with mandated ministers, lay people fully trained, and with a mandate from their bishop, to carry out functions not reserved to ordained deacons and/or priests. They relieve the parish priest who is based elsewhere, of much of the routine day to day administration and minor property maintenance matters. Hopefully they will be the ones who will conduct the lay led services.

I can see this situation developing, initially in rural areas where we have chapels of ease and a congregation of only a few dozen people. Most are able to travel to a parish church by car. Some, due to health issues are limited as to how far they can comfortably travel. At least if the chapel of ease remains open and in regular use they will not feel totally cut off from Catholic society.
Keep the Faith!

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Josephine
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So what about Sunday obligation?

Or will it no longer be a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday?

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OsullivanB

CCC
 
2183 "If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families."120
120-> CIC, can. 1248 # 2.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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paul

Is it time for the church to consider virtual reality and allow people to hear mass via their pc? Receiving the Holy Sacrament could be dealt with my lay eucharitic ministers.
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draig
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paul
Sunday, 26. August 2012, 14:29
Is it time for the church to consider virtual reality and allow people to hear mass via their pc? Receiving the Holy Sacrament could be dealt with my lay eucharitic ministers.
I don't agree. The whole point of going to mass is the coming together of the people in an act of worship. Whilst virtual prayer meetings are useful, a virtual mass would seem to go against the whole ethos of communion and community.
Gripe. Moan. Snipe. Ignore any inconvenient truth. Don't provide specific data. Don't, whatever you do, provide links to hard evidence. The Traditional Way To Maintain A Discussion.
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Derekap
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draig
Sunday, 26. August 2012, 16:40
paul
Sunday, 26. August 2012, 14:29
Is it time for the church to consider virtual reality and allow people to hear mass via their pc? Receiving the Holy Sacrament could be dealt with my lay eucharitic ministers.
I don't agree. The whole point of going to mass is the coming together of the people in an act of worship. Whilst virtual prayer meetings are useful, a virtual mass would seem to go against the whole ethos of communion and community.
"Attending" a Holy Mass on the Internet is a boon for those who may, for genuine reasons, be unable to attend in person. One can watch live transmissions or recordings.
Derekap
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paul

cheap booze from supermarkets is seeing the decline of the local pub the usual meeting place for communities. The decline in the number of priests will see the number of churches fall. Internet access is a boon for disabled and those people without a local church. The church needs to build on the advantages of the internet and exploit its potential to reach out to those people.
The dilema for the church revolves around liturgy....time for a fundamental rethink??
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draig
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Well woopie-do! We can close down all those expensive to run churches and we can have communion posted out to us to self-administer when we are watching mass on EWTN or via the internet. We should be able to cut down our offertory donations too. The sign of peace might be a bit of a problem, but perhaps we can message each other pictures of our hands.

Where can I sign up?
Gripe. Moan. Snipe. Ignore any inconvenient truth. Don't provide specific data. Don't, whatever you do, provide links to hard evidence. The Traditional Way To Maintain A Discussion.
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Derekap
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draig, I'm not suggesting 'attendance' of Holy Mass on the internet should be regarded as valid for the fit and agile or when Holy Mass on Sunday is available.
Derekap
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