Confession, General Absolution and the Sacramental Graces?

[TIME]

Just wanted to confirm a couple of technical questions about Confession, General Absolution and the Sacramental Graces. Also, are there any good sites regarding Confession?

While on a Men’s Retreat earlier this Fall the Priest gave us(about 20 guys) a very moving and powerful General Absolution. I had always been taught a General Absolution is every bit as good, as a one on one Confession, no matter, Mortal Sin, Venial Sin or number of times of either. Does anyone know of any exceptions to this or any recent updates to these guidelines?

 

[mommyof4]

General absolutions are only supposed to be given in emergencies, when there is no time or reasonable chance for individual confessions. If one does survive the said emergency, then one is bound to go to individual confession as soon as possible.

In his Apostolic Letter Misericordia Dei, Pope John Paul II clarifies what constitutes “grave necessity”:

1. a grave necessity exists, that is, when in light of the number of penitents a supply of confessors is not readily available to hear the confessions of individuals in an appropriate way within an appropriate time, so that the penitents would be deprived of sacramental grace or Holy Communion for a long time through no fault of their own; it is not considered sufficient necessity if confessors cannot be readily available only because of the great number of penitents, as can occur on the occasion of some great feast or pilgrimage” (emphasis is mine).

Can. 961 §1. Absolution cannot be imparted in a general manner to many penitents at once without previous individual confession unless:

1. danger of death is imminent and there is insufficient time for the priest or priests to hear the confessions of the individual penitents;
2. There is grave necessity, that is, when in view of the number of penitents, there are not enough confessors available to hear the confessions of individuals properly within a suitable period of time in such a way that the penitents are forced to be deprived for a long while of sacramental grace or holy communion through no fault of their own. Sufficient necessity is not considered to exist when confessors cannot be present due only to the large number of penitents such as can occur on some great feast or pilgrimage.

§2. It belongs to the diocesan bishop to judge whether the conditions required according to the norm of §1, n. 2 are present. He can determine the cases of such necessity, attentive to the criteria agreed upon with the other members of the conference of bishops.

Can. 962 §1. For a member of the Christian faithful validly to receive sacramental absolution given to many at one time, it is required not only that the person is properly disposed but also at the same time intends to confess within a suitable period of time each grave sin which at the present time cannot be so confessed.

§2. Insofar as it can be done even on the occasion of the reception of general absolution, the Christian faithful are to be instructed about the requirements of the norm of §1. An exhortation that each person take care to make an act of contrition is to precede general absolution even in the case of danger of death, if there is time.

Can. 986 §1. All to whom the care of souls has been entrusted in virtue of some function are obliged to make provision so that the confessions of the faithful entrusted to them are heard when they reasonably seek to be heard and that they have the opportunity to approach individual confession on days and at times established for their convenience.

§2. In urgent necessity, any confessor is obliged to hear the confessions of the Christian
faithful, and in danger of death, any priest is so obliged.

 

[benedictgal]

Just wanted to confirm a couple of technical questions about Confession, General Absolution and the Sacramental Graces. Also, are there any good sites regarding Confession?

While on a Men’s Retreat earlier this Fall the Priest gave us(about 20 guys) a very moving and powerful General Absolution. I had always been taught a General Absolution is every bit as good, as a one on one Confession, no matter, Mortal Sin, Venial Sin or number of times of either. Does anyone know of any exceptions to this or any recent updates to these guidelines?

John Paul II met with some Australian bishops who were employing the practice you have just described. He told them that this was reprobated and should be stopped immediately. I believe that Post #2 quotes that document. This is portion of the text of the circular letter published in 2000 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments which describes what you just experienced:

1. In giving consideration to the authentic discipline of the Church concerning “general absolution”, the recent interdicasterial meeting of the Roman Curia with a representation of Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Australia noted that:

. . . communal celebrations have not infrequently occasioned an illegitimate use of general absolution. This illegitimate use, like other abuses in the administration of the Sacrament of Penance, is to be eliminated.

The teaching of the Church is reflected in precise terms in the requirements of the Code of Canon Law (cf. esp. canons 959-964). In particular it is clear that “A sufficient necessity is not … considered to exist when confessors cannot be available merely because of a great gathering of penitents, such as can occur on some major feastday or pilgrimage” (canon 961, § 1, 2).

The bishops will exercise renewed vigilance on these matters for the future, aware that departures from the authentic tradition do great wrong to the Church and to individual Catholics.

1. With respect to the administration of “general absolution”, the exclusive authority enjoyed by Diocesan Bishops to determine whether a grave necessity is truly present in a given case in their diocese does not permit them “to change the required conditions, to substitute other conditions for those given, or to determine grave necessity according to their personal criteria however worthy.” Indeed, the Diocesan Bishop makes “this judgement graviter onerata conscientia, and with full respect for the law and practice of the Church.”

Furthermore, the circular reaffirms the supreme importance of individual confession:

1. The Holy Father has pointed to the personal nature of sin, conversion, forgiveness and reconciliation as the reason why the Rite of Reconciliation of several penitents with individual confession and absolution “demands the personal confession of sins and individual absolution”. Since individual and integral confession of sins is not only an obligation “but also an inviolable and inalienable right” of the faithful, any innovation which would interfere with their fulfillment of this obligation, such as when penitents are invited or otherwise encouraged to name just one sin or to name a representative sin, is to be eliminated.

I think that you may have to go to confession, as what you have just described is invalid because there was no grave necessity involved, as described in both this circular letter and the previous poster’s references to Canon Law. Nonetheless, this ritual was certainly reprobated and certainly illicit. You should, in good conscience, report this to the bishop.

I have to be quite frank with you. Reporting this to your bishop is not the easiest thing in the world. However, when it comes to the sacraments, you have the right to have the Sacrament of Penance (and the others) administered according to the rites, norms and rubrics of the Catholic Church.

 

[acadian]

Just wanted to confirm a couple of technical questions about Confession, General Absolution and the Sacramental Graces. Also, are there any good sites regarding Confession?

You might try www.confession101.com which has several links to other sites with examination of consciences, etc. One of my personal favorites (which is linked on the site) is www.frpat.com. He has a reconciliation page that I found very helpful when I had been away for a while.

While on a Men’s Retreat earlier this Fall the Priest gave us(about 20 guys) a very moving and powerful General Absolution. I had always been taught a General Absolution is every bit as good, as a one on one Confession, no matter, Mortal Sin, Venial Sin or number of times of either. Does anyone know of any exceptions to this or any recent updates to these guidelines?

As the previous poster said, General Absolution is only supposed to be given in case of an emergency. Once you survive the emergency, you are obligated to go to individual confession.

 

[Gaurdian]

So not even the Bishop can give this type of Absolution?

 

[mommyof4]

So not even the Bishop can give this type of Absolution?

Um, maybe this one:
fatima.org/essentials/requests/examconc.asp

 

[TIME]

You might try www.confession101.com which has several links to other sites with examination of consciences, etc. One of my personal favorites (which is linked on the site) is www.frpat.com. He has a reconciliation page that I found very helpful when I had been away for a while.

As the previous poster said, General Absolution is only supposed to be given in case of an emergency. Once you survive the emergency, you are obligated to go to individual confession.

Ok, maybe I have my terms confused or I’m just plain confused, Fr. Pat’s site shows this.

frpat.com/reconciliation.htm
Communal Reconciliation

Sometimes a parish will schedule a Communal Reconciliation Service, usually during the Season of Advent or Lent. The first part of the Service will consist of songs, scripture readings, a homily and an examination of conscience. The priest may give all present a common penance, and even have them pray an Act of Contrition together. There should then be an opportunity for those present to come forward for private confession. Just follow the directions given and the service, and all will be well.

 

[TIME]

You might try www.confession101.com which has several links to other sites with examination of consciences, etc. One of my personal favorites (which is linked on the site) is www.frpat.com. He has a reconciliation page that I found very helpful when I had been away for a while.

As the previous poster said, General Absolution is only supposed to be given in case of an emergency. Once you survive the emergency, you are obligated to go to individual confession.

More Communal Reconciliation info:

confessions101.com/english/site.php?use=Question%201

Q: We were told by our parish priest some years ago when communal penance was accepted, that it wasn’t necessary to elaborate on how many times the sins were committed, only that one had contrition for his sins. Also, he said that a general description was all that was necessary, say for instance, a sin such as impurity could cover many types of sin in that category.

A: If you went along with the instructions of your pastor, then be assured that your sins have been forgiven. For pastoral reasons, perhaps because of the large number of penitents present and the small number of confessors, he felt justified in keeping confessions as brief as possible. Under normal circumstances, sins of impurity (which you mentioned) would have to be confessed more specifically. Impurity embraces lust (desire), masturbation, fornication, pornography, prostitution, and adultery. (2nd edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, p.564, 2528). Those specific titles can be confessed without going into details. Some general idea as to numbers should be given as well; e.g., two times a week, or month, or year, so the confessor can tell whether the sin is habitual or just a momentary lapse of weakness.

His advice to the penitent would change accordingly.

So what about these Communal Reconciliations? I know their was no one on one Confession at the Retreat, but I am pretty sure he said all your sins have been forgiven.

 

[mommyof4]

Did any of this help you out, TIME?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Just wanted to confirm a couple of technical questions about Confession, General Absolution and the Sacramental Graces. Also, are there any good sites regarding Confession?

While on a Men’s Retreat earlier this Fall the Priest gave us(about 20 guys) a very moving and powerful General Absolution. I had always been taught a General Absolution is every bit as good, as a one on one Confession, no matter, Mortal Sin, Venial Sin or number of times of either. Does anyone know of any exceptions to this or any recent updates to these guidelines?

Yes, General Absolution is as valid as personal absolution, it does carry with it the requirement of receiving the personal Sacrament of one on one (to use your words) Confession at you earilest possible opportunity.

 

[acadian]

In a communal reconciliation service, there may be a group penance (though I’ve never personally experienced that) and all may say the Act of Contrition together. However, there is still **individual confession **and individual absolution. Here, these communal events are called “Opportunities for Confession”. I rather like them - there are usually a number of priests and other sinners besides yourself - somewhat comforting.

In the Q and A on the confession101 site, it appears that there was still individual confession and absolution, even though there was some tinkering with the specifics. I think this was more common 15 years or so ago. “Just tell me the biggest thing that is bothering you”. For years I thought you only had to tell the priest 3 sins when you went to confession.

Your sins were forgiven in the General Absolution, but we owe God the humble expression of our sorrow and repentance by confessing those sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation the next time that we go - especially the mortal sins.

 

[TIME]

Yes, General Absolution is as valid as personal absolution, it does carry with it the requirement of receiving the personal Sacrament of one on one (to use your words) Confession at you earliest possible opportunity.

Br., Ok if I understand you correctly, this General Absolution or Communal Reconciliation DID give me personal absolution of ALL my sins Mortal, Venial, etc.?

However, I still need to make a personal Confession, as, Acadian puts it and very well said, “but we owe God the humble expression of our sorrow and repentance by confessing those sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation the next time that we go - especially the mortal sins.” Is this correct?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Br., Ok if I understand you correctly, this General Absolution or Communal Reconciliation DID give me personal absolution of ALL my sins Mortal, Venial, etc.?

However, I still need to make a personal Confession, as, Acadian puts it and very well said, “but we owe God the humble expression of our sorrow and repentance by confessing those sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation the next time that we go - especially the mortal sins.” Is this correct?

Yes, the illicitness is on the minister of the Sacrament not you.

 

[benedictgal]

So not even the Bishop can give this type of Absolution?

No. Pope John Paul II, of venerable memory, was very clear that this practice was only reserved in the gravest of circumstances. What OP described was not grave. What he underwent was reprobated and invalid.

I would direct you to read Post #2 and my post regarding the documentation.

 

[benedictgal]

More Communal Reconciliation info:

confessions101.com/english/site.php?use=Question%201

Q: We were told by our parish priest some years ago when communal penance was accepted, that it wasn’t necessary to elaborate on how many times the sins were committed, only that one had contrition for his sins. Also, he said that a general description was all that was necessary, say for instance, a sin such as impurity could cover many types of sin in that category.

A: If you went along with the instructions of your pastor, then be assured that your sins have been forgiven. For pastoral reasons, perhaps because of the large number of penitents present and the small number of confessors, he felt justified in keeping confessions as brief as possible. Under normal circumstances, sins of impurity (which you mentioned) would have to be confessed more specifically. Impurity embraces lust (desire), masturbation, fornication, pornography, prostitution, and adultery. (2nd edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, p.564, 2528). Those specific titles can be confessed without going into details. Some general idea as to numbers should be given as well; e.g., two times a week, or month, or year, so the confessor can tell whether the sin is habitual or just a momentary lapse of weakness.

His advice to the penitent would change accordingly.

So what about these Communal Reconciliations? I know their was no one on one Confession at the Retreat, but I am pretty sure he said all your sins have been forgiven.

I am still very suspect of the advice given in that thread. It seems to go against what was written in the Circular letter issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Here is the link to the entire letter:

catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/DocumentContents/Index/2/SubIndex/40/DocumentIndex/356

Brother Rich, I am most curious about your answer to TIME’s question. The reason being is that this was attempted on Wednesday of Holy Week at our local Cursillo Center. I expressed serious concerns over this with the spiritual director, as there was an added caveat, the sins were to be written on paper and then burned. One of the women called the bishop’s office and our local Ordinary contacted the parish and told them that this was invalid. Luckily, the bishop was able to nip this thing in the bud.

The bottom line is that Pope John Paul II wouldn’t have had to issue a letter like this, through the CDWDS if abuses had not been cropping up. General absolution is reserved only for the gravest of circumstances (danger of eminent death of several parties-war zone, airplane crash, shipwreck, relgious persecutions–as in the time of Blessed Miguel Pro, whose feast we celebrated yesterday). What the OP described was certainly not a grave circumstance and was, under the Circular Letter and Canon Law, a grave abuse.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am still very suspect of the advice given in that thread. It seems to go against what was written in the Circular letter issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Here is the link to the entire letter:

catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/DocumentContents/Index/2/SubIndex/40/DocumentIndex/356

Brother Rich, I am most curious about your answer to TIME’s question. The reason being is that this was attempted on Wednesday of Holy Week at our local Cursillo Center. I expressed serious concerns over this with the spiritual director, as there was an added caveat, the sins were to be written on paper and then burned. One of the women called the bishop’s office and our local Ordinary contacted the parish and told them that this was invalid. Luckily, the bishop was able to nip this thing in the bud.

The bottom line is that Pope John Paul II wouldn’t have had to issue a letter like this, through the CDWDS if abuses had not been cropping up. General absolution is reserved only for the gravest of circumstances (danger of eminent death of several parties-war zone, airplane crash, shipwreck, relgious persecutions–as in the time of Blessed Miguel Pro, whose feast we celebrated yesterday). What the OP described was certainly not a grave circumstance and was, under the Circular Letter and Canon Law, a grave abuse.

It must be remembered that licitness and validity are two very different things. A Sacrament may be very illicit and still be very valid. For validity proper From, Matter and Intent along with the proper minister is all that is required.

We have done what you describe where sins were to be written on paper and then burned,at a vouth retreat. However Fr. was over in the next campsite at the table (50-60 feet away), it was dark and you could simply sit behind him or next to him and go to individual Confession. Everyone understood that if they didn’t go to Confession they were obligated to do so on their own ASAP.

 

[benedictgal]

It must be remembered that licitness and validity are two very different things. A Sacrament may be very illicit and still be very valid. For validity proper From, Matter and Intent along with the proper minister is all that is required.

We have done what you describe where sins were to be written on paper and then burned,at a vouth retreat. However Fr. was over in the next campsite at the table (50-60 feet away), it was dark and you could simply sit behind him or next to him and go to individual Confession. Everyone understood that if they didn’t go to Confession they were obligated to do so on their own ASAP.

Brother Rich, although you are the last person in which I would engage in document warfare (you’ve made some very solid comments regarding liturgy), this is, in part, what the Ciruclar letter says (since I’m not allowed to post the whole document):

1. In giving consideration to the authentic discipline of the Church concerning “general absolution”, the recent interdicasterial meeting of the Roman Curia with a representation of Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Australia noted that:

. . . communal celebrations have not infrequently occasioned an illegitimate use of general absolution. This illegitimate use, like other abuses in the administration of the Sacrament of Penance, is to be eliminated.

The teaching of the Church is reflected in precise terms in the requirements of the Code of Canon Law (cf. esp. canons 959-964). In particular it is clear that “A sufficient necessity is not … considered to exist when confessors cannot be available merely because of a great gathering of penitents, such as can occur on some major feastday or pilgrimage” (canon 961, § 1, 2).

The bishops will exercise renewed vigilance on these matters for the future, aware that departures from the authentic tradition do great wrong to the Church and to individual Catholics.

1. With respect to the administration of “general absolution”, the exclusive authority enjoyed by Diocesan Bishops to determine whether a grave necessity is truly present in a given case in their diocese does not permit them “to change the required conditions, to substitute other conditions for those given, or to determine grave necessity according to their personal criteria however worthy.” Indeed, the Diocesan Bishop makes “this judgement graviter onerata conscientia, and with full respect for the law and practice of the Church.”

Furthermore, the Circular Letter emphatically states that

1. The Holy Father has pointed to the personal nature of sin, conversion, forgiveness and reconciliation as the reason why the Rite of Reconciliation of several penitents with individual confession and absolution “demands the personal confession of sins and individual absolution”. Since individual and integral confession of sins is not only an obligation “but also an inviolable and inalienable right” of the faithful, any innovation which would interfere with their fulfillment of this obligation, such as when penitents are invited or otherwise encouraged to name just one sin or to name a representative sin, is to be eliminated.

1. As an aid to a more fruitful reception of the Sacrament of Penance and in the hope of fostering the spirit and virtue of penance among the faithful, the Rite of Penance includes material for “Penitential celebrations”, which are described as gatherings of the people of God to hear the proclamation of God’s word. “Care should be taken that the faithful do not confuse these celebrations with the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance”, in particular, by making clear to them that such celebrations are preparatory in nature and do not include the sacramental forgiveness of sins. It is to be borne in mind that such penitential celebrations may not make use of the sacramental formula of absolution, nor should they employ the concluding formula from the Penitential Rite at Mass, nor any other formula which could be misconstrued to be an absolution from sin.

What I described at the proposed service at the Cursillo Center, thankfully, didn’t happen. However, in light of the Circular Letter, it would, perhaps, do the OP well to confess his sins and receive the appropriate absolution.

Like I said earlier, I don’t like debating you, as you know more than I do on nearly everything liturgical. However, I’m going to have to stick to my guns on this one.

 

[grandfather]

Every priest must know that communal absolution without individual confession is forbidden in general and the rare conditions in which this is permitted. Yet, many priests organize these services regularly, encouraging disobedience. In some cases there is a priest who will hear individual confessions, but that is presented as an option to people who feel the need rather than telling people they do need to confess. I travel a lot on business and visit different parishes around the country for daily or Sunday Mass and pick up bulletins and talk to people and have found this in a number of places. The priests who encourage and organize these services know their personal and willful actions are specifically forbidden by the Church to which they have vowed obedience. Is this sinful?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Brother Rich, although you are the last person in which I would engage in document warfare (you’ve made some very solid comments regarding liturgy), this is, in part, what the Ciruclar letter says (since I’m not allowed to post the whole document):

Furthermore, the Circular Letter emphatically states that

What I described at the proposed service at the Cursillo Center, thankfully, didn’t happen. However, in light of the Circular Letter, it would, perhaps, do the OP well to confess his sins and receive the appropriate absolution.

Like I said earlier, I don’t like debating you, as you know more than I do on nearly everything liturgical. However, I’m going to have to stick to my guns on this one.

I left the door open a bit to wide, and I apologize. There was no General Absolution at our youth retreat. The sins on paper part was just a symbolic part of the penance/reflection portion of the retreat.

 

[sphilomena]

There has been good documentation given. The general absolution is only for a grave reason, but there must still be individual confession at the first opportunity. The communal penance services do not give absolution, but have a prayer service, etc. followed by individual confessions, where absolution is given as usual. Just wanted to review because there are priests around the country, and bishops, who are disobeying Rome. This is a serious disservice to those who think they are participating in a valid confession.