Catholic Life Turned Upside Down

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The big topic on everyone's mind right now is the coronavirus and how it's affecting life as we know it — especially the sacramental life.

Within only a couple of weeks, more and more dioceses have closed their doors to public Mass and currently (as of publication) only 15 U.S. dioceses are allowing public Mass, although they have removed the faithful's obligation to attend. It's expected by some people that by Friday there will be no public Masses in the United States.

But with all that happening, it's easy for the faithful to feel abandoned. Bishop Joseph Strickland, the head of the diocese of Tyler, Texas, is reassuring the faithful that even though public Mass is not being said in the diocese, he is declaring, "Holy Mass in the Diocese of Tyler ... is NOT canceled," adding "I am instructing priests to celebrate Mass privately for the faithful at least once every day, offer adoration, hear confessions and more. We who know Our Lord is Really Present must share this truth!"

But in the last 50 years, many bishops have been caught up in the material well-being of man and ignoring spiritual realities.

With the coronavirus catastrophe ramping up, most bishops are calling for Catholics to follow local and federal directions. However, they seem to be neglecting recalling souls to God.

For many now, access to the sacraments has largely been cut off, even for those who'd like to gather in sparsely attended churches.

Bishops today aren't issuing general calls for repentance. They're not giving any historical perspective of how plagues, famines and wars were allowed by a loving God to correct His wayward flock.

In the Gospel, Our Lord warned "there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in places" along with "wars and the rumor of wars." Throughout human history, there have been catastrophes and the Church has emerged stronger than before. Our Lord also promised:"Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."

To learn more about the big changes in the Church watch The Download—Catholic Life Turned Upside Down.

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