Bishop Mark Eckman doesn't want parishioners to put themselves at risk

He says it's important to prioritize health and safety when discerning whether to attend Mass this weekend.
Pedestrians try to hail a cab on this snowy Shadyside street during a major winter storm.
Pedestrians try to hail a cab on this snowy Shadyside street during a major winter storm. Photo credit Getty Images

Bishop Mark Eckman doesn't want parishioners to put themselves at risk.

He is reminding church-goers that in light of ongoing weather conditions across the region, it's important to prioritize health and safety when discerning whether to attend Mass this weekend.

Bishop Eckman today released a statement saying that while the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays is important, the Church teaches that the obligation does not bind when a person is not reasonably able to get to church.

This includes, he says, dangerous weather conditions.

In such cases, people are automatically dispensed from the obligation.

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