Amidst the ongoing pandemic affecting Catholic communities throughout the United States, The Torch was grateful to receive reflections from Monsignor Liam Bergin, Professor of the Practice in the Theology Department at Boston College and priest of the Diocese of Ossory, Ireland, regarding the Church’s response.
Msgr. Bergin: We Catholics believe that the sacraments are privileged moments of encounter with God. Through these holy actions of the Church we are drawn into a deeper relationship with God and with each other as we receive grace to live our Christian lives. It is a great sadness, then, that we cannot gather for Eucharist and for other sacraments in our parishes at this time. But, never forget that the saving power of God touches us deeply, healing us and raising us up. St. Paul tell us, “that neither death, nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not and power, or height, or depth, nor any created thing can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39).
Sacraments are actions of the Christian community. That’s why we celebrate them together in church. Their subject is “we” not “I”. Vatican II called for the “full and active participation of the whole community” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14). Circumstances now demand that we watch Mass on television or livestreamed from our parish church. We make a spiritual communion and look forward to the day when we will be able to receive sacramentally again. It is a great loss that we cannot receive the Bread of Life. But, the ultimate aim (res tantum) of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ (sacramentum et res) is that we would enter into a deeper spiritual communion with God and with each other and we can do that in other, even if less assured, ways. Vatican II reminds us of the four-fold presence of Christ in liturgical celebrations: in the community that gathers to pray; in the ordained minister who presides; in the Word of God that is proclaimed; and in the Eucharistic elements (SC, 7). It is important to remember that God’s life is communicated to us, when we gather to pray, when we read the scriptures, when we recite the rosary and say other prayers alone or with others, and in our acts of human service.
TT: Parish priests from across the country have often been going through great lengths to extend an opportunity for their parishioners to receive some of the sacraments. What would your recommendations be to a parish priest, as they try to usher their congregation through this difficult period?
MB: I am a priest in residence at St. Brigid/Gate of Heaven parishes in South Boston. We have livestreamed Mass every day and parishioners express their gratitude that they can link-in with their own church and with priests that they know. Not every parish has this technical capability. In those situations, I would urge the pastors to reach out by calling parishioners, particularly the elderly, and to invite all to pray for each other, for those who are ill and for those who care for us during this precarious time.
TT: Has the Archdiocese released any guides for how priests should go about a remote liturgy? Are there limits in place, other than those imposed by the state of Massachusetts, for how many individuals can participate?
MB: The Archdiocese of Boston has suspended all Masses and related liturgical services that would normally be open to the public in all parishes, oratories, missions, and on college campuses. The directive also notes that Masses that are taped or streamed from the Church should be limited to essential people without a congregation, but attendance must be limited to no more than 10 people. Livestreamed Masses are preferred and may be recorded at the same time for later rebroadcast/availability for viewing online. Pre-recording Masses, while not recommended, are permitted under the conditions described by USCCB.
Baptisms and weddings may proceed, but attendance must be limited to no more than 10 people. Funeral Masses are not permitted and priests or deacons may not lead wake or funeral services in funeral homes. If the pastor, the funeral director and the family agree, on the way to the cemetery from the funeral home, the hearse may stop in front of the church and the priest/deacon, standing on the steps of the church, may recite the Prayers of Commendation and bless the casket. Graveside services with no more than 10 people present with a priest or deacon presiding are allowed and encouraged.
TT: Very likely most liturgies that have been live-streamed or otherwise shared have no members of the congregation present to say the responses. You see some instances where priests will say some of the responses, while leaving the others as blank space. Is there any reasoning for that?
MB: The Roman Missal does not envisage the celebration of Mass without a congregation. It does have “The Order of Mass with the Participation of a Single Minister.” The situation described should not happen.
TT: One of the popular solutions for access to the sacraments, in addition to ‘drive-up’ adoration or benediction in parish parking lots, has been ‘drive through’ confession, the idea of course being that the confessor is able to stay a safe six feet or more away from the parishioners in their cars. To assist in being able to hear one another, many instances of this phenomenon have employed phones as ‘supplementary’ means. Is this, in your view, within the bounds of valid confession?
MB: It is also a deep regret that it is not possible to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at this time. Meanwhile, it is good to remember the advice of Pope Francis, drawn from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your Father, and tell him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart. Make an act of contrition,” the pope said, “and promise God, ‘I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.”
This is an anxious time for many people. Priests should do everything in their power to reassure people of God’s mercy and gracious presence to them in these uncertain times. It is alarming that some clergy are defying public safety orders to keep churches open, putting the health of communities at risk. I fear that drive-thru confessions may play on people’s fears or scruples. Images of bulk buying of food and paper goods are disturbing. It would be sad if we were to approach our sacramental economy with a similar consumerist mentality as if we had to stock-pile grace. Remember, salvation depends on God and not on us. Let us not embrace a new Pelagianism!
TT: More broadly, it is long established that blessings are transmittable over radio or phone, but confessions must still be conducted in-person. What is the reason for this seeming discrepancy?
MB: These rules are in place to ensure that the integrity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is protected. The Church has always guarded the seal of the confessional as inviolable and Canon Law applies the greatest censure if it is infringed. Other factors such as the personal encounter between penitent and confessor are also underlined. Some argue that the current crisis and the advanced technologies that are available call for a review of this long-standing norm.
TT: What have your own experiences celebrating live-streamed Masses been like––recently with Cardinal Seán as well as continuing on CatholicTV? Is it any different now than it has been in the past on CatholicTV?
MB: During this time of pandemic livestreamed Masses offer spiritual support to many. As I preside at these liturgies and look out at the empty pews, I pray with and for the people who belong there. Gate of Heaven church has beautiful stained-glass windows depicting the saints. As the sunlight filters in, I am reminded that the liturgy joins heaven and earth in one act of praise to God. But, as one elderly lady wrote to me in an Easter message, “It is wonderful to watch the Mass, but it is not the same. I miss my church family. I pray that we can all be together again soon.”
This pandemic reminds us that the liturgical reform of Vatican II has still some distance to go. While it has offered some opportunities to grow, it has also unmasked superstitious and magical approaches to the sacraments that many sacramental theologians thought had been consigned to the past!
Featured image courtesy of Catholic TV.
Previously the Campus News Editor and Catholicism 101 Editor, Olivia dabbles in The Torch’s writing and photography. She is a senior studying theology and applied psychology and human development with a minor in journalism. She is unashamedly passionate about youth ministry, Haiti, all things charismatic, the Oxford comma, and CatholicTV––where she can often be found as an on-camera news reporter or host of the To the Heights podcast.
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