Chapter V of Redemptionis Sacramentum (108-128) reviews “Certain Other Matters Concerning the Eucharist.” These matters include vestments (121-128), vessels (117-120), and a variety of “circumstances” (110-116).
In today’s post, we’ll just look at “The Place for the Celebration of Holy Mass.” If it can’t be “sacred,” at the very least it must be “decent.”
[108.] “The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the celebration must be in a decent place.” [Code of Canon Law 932 §
1; Liturgicae Instaurationes 9] The diocesan Bishop shall be the judge for his diocese concerning this necessity, on a case-by-case basis.
Bishops judge, not parish pastors.
[109.] It is never lawful for a Priest to celebrate in a temple or sacred place of any non-Christian religion.
This makes logical sense, and I can’t imagine any possible exception. Such an act would be a gesture of mutual disrespect.
Here’s a clue to help discern: where hatred of one’s life in this world is inverted/redirected egoism, it’s not what Jesus was talking about. People in 12-step recovery might have something to offer to illuminate this point further….