Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 11, 2020 / 14:00 pm
After Virginia's governor appeared to suggest that church attendance is immaterial to the act of worship, one theologian says that Catholics see worship differently.
On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) asked religious leaders to consider holding liturgies outdoors or virtually during the Christmas season, as he announced new restrictions on public gatherings to control the spread of the coronavirus.
"The holidays are typically times of joy and community. We gather together, we celebrate our faith, and we celebrate with family," Northam said. "But this year, we need to think about what is truly the most important thing. Is it the worship, or the building?"
"To me, God is wherever you are. You don't have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers," said the governor.