Confession

[Stewart]

I would like to ask a priest whether it is necessary in the eyes of the church to attend confession for absolution? Another question…I recently attended mass and, because the priest had no time for confession, he gave those waiting in line for confession, general absolution. Is this sufficient or does one still need to attend confession, one on one with a priest?

 

[dylanschrader]

Sacramental confession and absolution is ordinarily necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sins. Forgiveness can be obtained by having perfect contrition, that is sorrow for sins out of love for God, but this is always coupled with the intention to go to confession. Individual confession of sins can only be omitted due to moral or physical impossibility.

Here is what Canon Law says about the cases where general absolution is allowed:

Can. 960 Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the only ordinary means by which a member of the faithful conscious of grave sin is reconciled with God and the Church. Only physical or moral impossibility excuses from confession of this type; in such a case reconciliation can be obtained by other means.

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.

In the case you describe, general absolution should not have been given and those waiting in line still need to confess all unconfessed mortal sins.

 

[puzzleannie]

to answer OPs questions, yes his sins were forgiven and he was absolved, and he may receive communion, but he is obligated to confess in person, privately, to a priest at the earliest opportunity. It is not up to the congregation present to judge whether or not the priest acted properly, but you should know enough that even in the event general absolution was given properly (extreme emergency, wartime etc.) you still are obliged to confess privately ASAP

 

[Stewart]

Thank you for your replies…you have answered my question. God Bless

 

[dylanschrader]

to answer OPs questions, yes his sins were forgiven and he was absolved, and he may receive communion, but he is obligated to confess in person, privately, to a priest at the earliest opportunity. It is not up to the congregation present to judge whether or not the priest acted properly, but you should know enough that even in the event general absolution was given properly (extreme emergency, wartime etc.) you still are obliged to confess privately ASAP

While not being able to comment on this particular situation without further knowledge, I would add that except in the case of physical or moral impossibility, absolution is invalid. Why? Because the confession of sins is the quasi-matter of the Sacrament of Penance and is thus necessary for validity.