Leila Marie Lawler's article, "Bishop Barron's The Mass -- A 'Privileged Encounter'?", critiques Bishop Barron's film series on the Mass, highlighting various issues that she believes are ignored or inadequately addressed. She argues that any production about the Mass must grapple with significant challenges, including the decline in church attendance since the Second Vatican Council and widespread disbelief in the Real Presence of the Eucharist among Catholics.
Lawler contends that Bishop Barron's series fails to address these problems effectively. She points out that the Mass is portrayed as a "privileged encounter" with God, but this concept is not adequately explained. The series often juxtaposes beautiful pre-Vatican II churches with modern, less inspiring ones, inadvertently reminding viewers of the perceived loss of tradition and beauty in contemporary liturgy.
The article criticizes the film's lack of emphasis on key theological concepts such as sacrifice and sin, and it questions the effectiveness of Barron's approach to catechesis. Lawler also highlights the ongoing issues of the sexual abuse crisis and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on worship, suggesting that these have further eroded trust and participation in the Church.