[ReformationFan]

Perhaps you can answer this question for me: to be considered in good standing, are Roman Catholic laymen required to attend their local parish whether they like that parish or not? Or are they allowed the freedom to attend another one, i.e., if their local one is liberal, are they free to go to a more conservative one that may not be their nearest one?

[Mercat]

First of all, no one takes attendance. I don’t go to Mass within my parish boundaries. I think I asked once and whomever I asked said no problem. I get envelopes from the parish I choose.

[Salvation]

There used to be set boundaries, but no longer are they enforced. Most people attend the Church that fulfills their needs.

[Campion]

You're officially supposed to attend your territorial parish. But nobody fusses at you if you go to another one, as long as it's a Catholic church in good standing and you support it financially.

True story: when I moved here, I went to the diocesan chancery to find out exactly which parish's territory I lived in. (My house is more-or-less equidistant between two Catholic churches.) I asked the secretary, "I live at [address]; can you tell me which parish I'm supposed to be in?" She looks at me in confusion and then asks: "Well, where do you go to church?" ;-)