Is Skipping Mass a Mortal Sin?
We have a priest at our parish who has repeatedly said that you will not go to hell if you miss Mass or commit a mortal sin. I’ve also heard him make other statements that don’t align with Catholic church doctrine, and in my opinion, he is leading the flock astray.
While it’s true that the Catechism doesn’t explicitly say you will go to hell for skipping Mass, it does suggest that you’re risking your immortal soul.
The Catechism clearly states (2181) that missing Mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation without a valid reason is a “Grave Sin.” It also emphasizes that unrepentant mortal sin can lead to exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the “eternal death of hell” (1861).
Telling people they will not go to hell for missing Mass without referencing the Catechism or church doctrine can be very misleading. Those who sometimes skip Mass might now believe missing it isn’t a big deal, because even the priest says so. Isn’t it a priest’s duty to encourage attendance and explain that, as a Catholic, it is their obligation to attend Mass? This particular priest seems to be doing the opposite.
I’ve never heard a priest tell the congregation they will go to hell for missing Mass, but I have listened to priests explain that missing Mass without a valid reason is a grave sin. It’s their responsibility to inform their parishioners of this.
Sadly, many Catholics are unaware of the church’s doctrine, or they ignore it. Until about twenty-five years ago, I was one of them. Despite being a cradle Catholic, I never read the Catechism and knew very little about church teachings. I went to Mass when I felt like it, and I hadn’t been to confession in twenty-five years.
One day, while flipping through TV channels, I saw a priest on the Eternal Word Television Network. He pointed at me (or so it seemed) and explained that I was required to attend Mass, and that not doing so was a grave sin. I don’t recall hearing a priest say that; if I did, I probably ignored it. But hearing it that day changed everything for me — afterward, I never missed Mass again. I went back to confession, started praying the rosary, and read the Catechism cover to cover.
I believe most Catholics want to hear the truth from their priests, but I think too many priests don’t give it to us straight, out of fear of hurting someone’s feelings. Or maybe they believe that preaching true Catholic doctrine will cause people to leave the church. But if they refuse to accept the church’s doctrine, haven’t they already left? Shouldn’t we try to bring them back?
The truth is often difficult to hear and sometimes hard to accept. Jesus was killed for speaking the truth, as was Charlie Kirk.
Dear priests, if you want your church to be whole again, preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and teach authentic doctrine. Doing otherwise is leading the flock astray.
