Father Corby quote - unfaithful soldiers denied "Christian burial"

[gazelam]

At the battle of Gettysburg in the US Civil War, Father William Corby (chaplain of the Irish Brigade) stated the following during a ceremony giving general absolution to the soldiers: “the Catholic Church refuses Christian burial to a soldier who turns his back on the foe or deserts his flag”. Father Corby later went on to become the president of Notre Dame university.

See americamagazine.org/issue/gettysburgs-catholic-memories for more information

My questions are these…

What is a ceremony of general absolution?

Was Father Corby explaining a formal Catholic doctrine/dogma/policy about deserting soldiers, or just motivating the troops?

If a determination is made that a soldier has deserted on the battle field, is he/she denied a “Christian burial” for life, or can the soldier work to return to the good graces of the Catholic Church later and therefore requalify for a “Christian burial”? Thanks in advance!

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., took a conspicuous position on a boulder, and having in a short address informed them that he was about to impart a general absolution, and that they could receive its benefit by making a sincere act of contrition, with a resolve to confess their sins on the first opportunity, ended, says General Mulholland, with the declaration that “the Catholic Church refuses Christian burial to a soldier who turns his back on the foe or deserts his flag. The brigade was standing at ‘order arms,’ and as he closed his address every man fell on his knees with head bowed down. Then stretching his right hand towards the brigade, Father Corby pronounced the words of absolution.”

A priest can offer a general absolution of sins to a group in a situation where mortal danger is imminent and where there is no time for individual confessions, with the condition that those who survive must confess later.

Was Father Corby explaining a formal Catholic doctrine/dogma/policy about deserting soldiers, or just motivating the troops?

Not a Church doctrine, but this is the kind of thing someone might hear before Gettysburg in the Civil War or in World War II where freedom hung in the balance.

If a determination is made that a soldier has deserted on the battle field, is he/she denied a “Christian burial” for life, or can the soldier work to return to the good graces of the Catholic Church later and therefore requalify for a “Christian burial”? Thanks in advance!

Any sinner can make a good Confession and be restored to a state of grace.

 

[TheDoctor]

What is a ceremony of general absolution?

It is used in extraordinary circumstances where you have a large number of people (typically facing potential death such as soldiers going into battle or on a ship sinking) where there is not ample time for individual confession and absolution. The obligation on those receiving general absolution is to go to individual confession as soon as possible.

Was Father Corby explaining a formal Catholic doctrine/dogma/policy about deserting soldiers, or just motivating the troops?

There is no Catholic doctrine such as this so if the quote is to be believed as accurate it appears Father was trying to motivate the troops, knowing the horror of what they will be facing.

 

[GEddie]

Sadly, in a situation such as the battle of Gettysburg where men died by hundreds, a “Christian burial” would not be assured in any case.

But no, this was never Church teaching. In the last execution for desertion, in 1945, the condemned even had a priest in attendance.

ICXC NIKA