Scotland: Bishops restore obligation to attend Sunday Mass

In a message sent to all Catholic parishes in Scotland, Scotland's Catholic Bishops will announce that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday is to be restored from Sunday 6 March. The letter written by the President of the Bishops' Conference, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, will say that the obligation to attend will apply "Given the easing of restrictions in every other walk of life" while adding that the requirement to attend, "does not apply to those who are sick and their carers or to those aware of their greater vulnerability to the virus."

The full text of the letter is shown below:

Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Scotland

On the Restoration of the Mass Obligation in the Dioceses of Scotland

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The obligation for Catholics to celebrate Sunday as a Holy Day by gathering together for Mass will be restored from the First Sunday in Lent, Sunday 6th March. Given the easing of restrictions in every other walk of life, the Church looks forward to welcoming Catholics back to Holy Mass. As always, the obligation does not apply to those who are sick and their carers or to those aware of their greater vulnerability to the virus. May the continuing recovery of our country bring new hope to us all especially those who are ill, those who mourn loved ones, those who are apprehensive and those who have sustained us in so many ways throughout the Pandemic. We, the Bishops of Scotland, take this opportunity to thank our clergy and our parish volunteers for all their efforts. May our Lenten journey this year lead us to a renewed appreciation of our Catholic faith, of the celebration of the Eucharist and of the presence of the Risen Christ who is always at our side.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert
President
Bishops' Conference of Scotland

LINK

Scottish Catholic Media Office - www.scmo.org