‘Catholics may skip December 9 mass’

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Catholics and workers are not obliged to attend mass on Dec. 9, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

“Obligation to attend mass does not apply this year,” Archdiocese of Manila vice chancellor Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr. said, citing the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipleship of the Sacraments.

Philippine bishops had petitioned the Vatican on the issue of obligation after the feast day was transferred from Dec. 8 to 9, as it coincided with the second Sunday of Advent.

“It would be difficult or even impossible for many Catholics to go to mass on a working day since they are daily wage earners and rely on this for their families’ sustenance,” Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said.