Are you a 'Mass-hopper'?
Apparently, there is a new phenomenon whereby people are going from one online Mass to another passing comments over the "performances" of priests - and some of it is very hurtful to priests!
Since the re-emergence of lockdown, Masses are gone back online but Fr Tim Hazelwood from the Association of Catholic Priests (and PP in Killeagh in East Cork) says it hasn't been all plain sailing.
Speaking to Damien Tiernan on Deise Today, he explained that the online 'Mass-hoppers' are undermining many priests - some of whom are already very self-conscious - by passing "very hurtful" criticisms of them on social media!
"The reality is that nowadays, people have plenty of time at home and some people go online and they watch Masses. Certain people you meet now can tell you the best Mass for singing, the best Mass for preaching..."
He said the move to online for Masses was difficult for many priests, as well as parishioners.
"We've no training in it. Here you have a camera in your face. Personally, I don't like it. I find it demoralising. I'm just after celebrating Mass now with a phone stuck on me; an empty church. Our job was about meeting people. Mass was about gathering people, meeting people after Mass."
Fr Tim said some priests haven't opted for conducting online Masses at all because they didn't like it, while others love it.
He said people who pass comments need to be aware that when online that their comments fall somewhere - and can be hurtful. Priest, he added, like everyone else, have feelings.
Fr Tim also spoke about how the pandemic also is proving a very difficult time also for priests, not only in terms of isolation but financially.
You can listen back to his interview on Deise Today by clicking below...
Meanwhile, if you want to listen back to the full 'Deise Today' from this morning, please click below here...
