Bishops Reinstate Sunday Mass Obligation

At their meeting a couple of weeks ago, the Bishops of England and Wales, decided that the obligation to attend Mass, every Sunday, is to be restored, from the feast of Pentecost, Sunday June 5th.

Of course, they recognise for reasons of health, there are those who do not feel safe
enough to return to Mass, and point out that it has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation.

The Bishops also note “that parishes have benefitted during these difficult times from the online streaming of Mass and other services. “Virtual viewing” of Mass online does not fulfil the Sunday Obligation.”

Read the full statement