There is no salvation outside the Church
I have continued to receive a number of emails and phone calls from irate members of the faithful who are incensed that they cannot attend Mass and receive the sacraments. Some believe that this is all part of a government conspiracy to suppress the practice of the faith and to take control of the Church. Others believe that bishops and priests should dismiss the government restrictions and open the churches. Some believe the bishops have lost their way. There is no question that many have pent up frustration over the inability to attend Mass, receive Holy Communion and the other sacraments. Some are angry that they can't baptize their children, bury their loved ones and carry on with their wedding. Of course we sympathize with the loss being experienced and even the emotions that accompany the deprivation. We all share in this great sadness over present realities. But these are extraordinary times and we can never lose sight of our responsibility to be good citizens and to do what we can for the safety and wellbeing of others. Rights and freedoms must always be balanced by responsibility and reason.
The Church is working closely with our government leaders - we are not enemies to each other. Reasonable people can disagree about the what might be able to be done. But the underlying motives cannot be questioned. We can never morally justify being agents of disease, destruction and death. The coronavirus is a serious pandemic. The virus is highly contagious, many groups of people are in danger of sickness and death. Safe distancing, wearing masks, avoiding gatherings, isolating ourselves are all practices that science and medicine have dictated as best practices to flatten the curve and prevent unnecessary sickness and death. The Church engages in these practices out of a concern for the greater good and with a desire to protect and to safeguard as many people as possible. We know this is for a time - not forever - and we are working hard to find ways to resume ministry. The sacrifice of the Mass and its full effects are being celebrated every single day by every single priest for the salvation of souls. That is an awesome reality. Priests are taking heroic measures to anoint the sick and dying, hear confessions, bury the dead, baptize and marry couples where the pastoral need is great and current restrictions allow. Others are being asked to wait for a time that is safe for all those involved. This is what responsibility and reason dictated in the face of a pandemic.
There is nothing insidious about what is taking place. We are facing a serious pandemic that threatens the health and safety of many people - especially the elderly, those with underlying conditions and others. Each and every one of these people deserves our deepest respect and care. Faithful citizenship is a moral and ethical responsibility of every good Catholic. Our bishops are working closely with our government leaders to make difficult decisions that affect the lives of millions of people. These can't be done carelessly or with little regard for the terrible impact they may have on the health and safety of many people.
I can understand the sadness, the frustration, and the sense of loss. The anger is misplaced. As a priest I am on the front lines doing the best I can. I have gone to the hospital and to the homes of those who are dying and need the sacraments - no priest would deny that to any Catholic. We suit up, take precautions and do what we need to do gladly. But until we have greater certainty about the safety and wellbeing of those who gather, it would be dangerous and foolish to reopen our churches and dismiss all the precautions and restrictions that are in place to protect the safety and wellbeing of those we serve. Our bishop is promulgating soon the directives that we must follow in order to reopen our churches for private prayer. Whatever is required we must do for the wellbeing of all who come. I have heard from some families who refuse to wear masks because they feel it diminishes human dignity and is a sign of government oppression. Of course parents must always be the ones to do what they believe is the right choice for their children, but these choices have consequences. We may not be able to come and go for private prayer without them.
Perhaps the absence of what we desire will lead to a renewed sense of faith and love for the treasures of our faith. We know that God will lead us through the dark valleys to the green pastures. These things will pass and we will resume the full practice of our faith. What a joyous day that will be. But in the meantime, we need everyone to stay focused on what matters - our unity as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, members of the Holy Body of Christ, the Church, with a desire for the only thing that really matters - life forever in the Kingdom of God. God will never abandon his people. I am with you always until the end of time - that is the promise our Risen Lord made before he ascended into heaven. May that promise fill our hearts with hope as we navigate this challenging times and never lose faith in the Church. There is no salvation outside the Church. Don't let the pandemic be a weapon for Satan to lead you away from the one, holy Catholic apostolic Church.
The Church is working closely with our government leaders - we are not enemies to each other. Reasonable people can disagree about the what might be able to be done. But the underlying motives cannot be questioned. We can never morally justify being agents of disease, destruction and death. The coronavirus is a serious pandemic. The virus is highly contagious, many groups of people are in danger of sickness and death. Safe distancing, wearing masks, avoiding gatherings, isolating ourselves are all practices that science and medicine have dictated as best practices to flatten the curve and prevent unnecessary sickness and death. The Church engages in these practices out of a concern for the greater good and with a desire to protect and to safeguard as many people as possible. We know this is for a time - not forever - and we are working hard to find ways to resume ministry. The sacrifice of the Mass and its full effects are being celebrated every single day by every single priest for the salvation of souls. That is an awesome reality. Priests are taking heroic measures to anoint the sick and dying, hear confessions, bury the dead, baptize and marry couples where the pastoral need is great and current restrictions allow. Others are being asked to wait for a time that is safe for all those involved. This is what responsibility and reason dictated in the face of a pandemic.
There is nothing insidious about what is taking place. We are facing a serious pandemic that threatens the health and safety of many people - especially the elderly, those with underlying conditions and others. Each and every one of these people deserves our deepest respect and care. Faithful citizenship is a moral and ethical responsibility of every good Catholic. Our bishops are working closely with our government leaders to make difficult decisions that affect the lives of millions of people. These can't be done carelessly or with little regard for the terrible impact they may have on the health and safety of many people.
I can understand the sadness, the frustration, and the sense of loss. The anger is misplaced. As a priest I am on the front lines doing the best I can. I have gone to the hospital and to the homes of those who are dying and need the sacraments - no priest would deny that to any Catholic. We suit up, take precautions and do what we need to do gladly. But until we have greater certainty about the safety and wellbeing of those who gather, it would be dangerous and foolish to reopen our churches and dismiss all the precautions and restrictions that are in place to protect the safety and wellbeing of those we serve. Our bishop is promulgating soon the directives that we must follow in order to reopen our churches for private prayer. Whatever is required we must do for the wellbeing of all who come. I have heard from some families who refuse to wear masks because they feel it diminishes human dignity and is a sign of government oppression. Of course parents must always be the ones to do what they believe is the right choice for their children, but these choices have consequences. We may not be able to come and go for private prayer without them.
Perhaps the absence of what we desire will lead to a renewed sense of faith and love for the treasures of our faith. We know that God will lead us through the dark valleys to the green pastures. These things will pass and we will resume the full practice of our faith. What a joyous day that will be. But in the meantime, we need everyone to stay focused on what matters - our unity as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, members of the Holy Body of Christ, the Church, with a desire for the only thing that really matters - life forever in the Kingdom of God. God will never abandon his people. I am with you always until the end of time - that is the promise our Risen Lord made before he ascended into heaven. May that promise fill our hearts with hope as we navigate this challenging times and never lose faith in the Church. There is no salvation outside the Church. Don't let the pandemic be a weapon for Satan to lead you away from the one, holy Catholic apostolic Church.
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