Dutch Catholic Bishops Cancel Christmas Midnight Masses Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Catholic News Agency ^ | 12/1/21 | Courtney Mares

[marshmallow]

Catholic bishops in the Netherlands have decided to cancel Christmas Midnight Masses once again this year as a precaution to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Dutch bishops announced on Dec. 1 that no Catholic Masses or other parish functions will be allowed to take place after 5 p.m., with public venues required to close between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. under new government measures lasting until at least Dec. 19.

The Dutch bishops’ conference website explained that the decision, also taken last year, was made to prevent large crowds gathering for evening Masses on Christmas Eve. It added that it is difficult to maintain good ventilation with multiple Masses in one evening.

Other Church gatherings, such as catechesis meetings and parish council sessions, can only take place virtually after 5 p.m. Evening Masses on weekdays and Saturdays will be brought forward to finish at 5 p.m.

Dutch officials announced that researchers had found that there were cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19 in the Netherlands before the variant was detected in South Africa, according to NPR.

[irishjuggler]

Reminds me of the old joke... “Who ever said bishops aren’t mentioned in the Bible? Of course they are... ‘And they all fled.’ Mark 14:50”

[BenLurkin]

Nobody in Holland has been “vaccinated”?

[NWFree]

May as well cancel next year too since it comes so easily 🤪

[EEGator]

Whores and hash bars still open...

[EC Washington]

But still remember to send in your Christmas offerings

[EC Washington]

But still remember to send in your Christmas offerings

[MinorityRepublican]

Does it matter? The only “believers” left are Muslims.

[SamuraiScot]

the decision, also taken last year, was made to prevent large crowds gathering for evening Masses on Christmas Eve from praying.

There is an expression that goes something like this: "The floor of hell is paved with the skulls of unfaithful bishops."

[SamuraiScot]

In an interview with the Register, [Cardinal Gerhard Muller] . . . warned against bishops and priests who "offer themselves as courtiers to the rulers of this world and make themselves their propagandists."

Pope Francis (who often acts as if he might be one of those propagandists) removed Muller as head of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith some years ago for persistently telling the truth.

[ebb tide]

Why just the midnight Masses?

Are they more dangerous than 4:00 pm vigil Masses or Christmas dawn Masses?

[Ken Regis]

Good!