General Absolution during Homily

[Flatty10]

This morning i went to Mass, the priest instead of giving a homily gave the congregation a general absolution. That is said a few prayers with the response…“Jesus have mercy on me a sinner.” and then went to the first pew ask everyone to stand, and said something like, through the ministry of the church i give you pardon and peace in the Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. and then continue on to every other pew.

Apart from being quite shocked i raised it with our parish Sister, whos kind of in charge. She told me that who am i to question the Priest, and that “if i don’t like it, don’t come here” I tried to explain to her my position about the norm for confession but wouldnt listen and told me really not to question him.

After this i went to the Priest to talk to him, and apart from being very defensive and quite rude, told me because it is a rural town he gave confession because people can’t make it. This was quite perculiar because after mass is the time designated for people to come to Confession, and no-one came. So my understanding is that it would be the peoples own cause and fault that they do not make it to confession, and not making it a good enough reason for General Confession.

He then packed up his belongings and left, leaving me abit hurt and unsure.

What should i do?

 

[Daegus]

This morning i went to Mass, the priest instead of giving a homily gave the congregation a general absolution. That is said a few prayers with the response…“Jesus have mercy on me a sinner.” and then went to the first pew ask everyone to stand, and said something like, through the ministry of the church i give you pardon and peace in the Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. and then continue on to every other pew.

Apart from being quite shocked i raised it with our parish Sister, whos kind of in charge. She told me that who am i to question the Priest, and that “if i don’t like it, don’t come here” I tried to explain to her my position about the norm for confession but wouldnt listen and told me really not to question him.

After this i went to the Priest to talk to him, and apart from being very defensive and quite rude, told me because it is a rural town he gave confession because people can’t make it. This was quite perculiar because after mass is the time designated for people to come to Confession, and no-one came. So my understanding is that it would be the peoples own cause and fault that they do not make it to confession, and not making it a good enough reason for General Confession.

He then packed up his belongings and left, leaving me abit hurt and unsure.

What should i do?

Report this case to your local bishop and see what can be done about it.

 

[MarkThompson]

Assuming that my reading of what you wrote is accurate, this sounds like a grave abuse. So if the priest you talk about in your post is not the pastor of your parish, then you first ought to speak with the pastor. The next step would be what Daegus says: write to your bishop. Keep the letter short, and mention how severely troubled you are by this, but stick to facts rather than your opinions. Ask for some corrective action such as a pastoral letter to your parish.

It’s also concerning that you refer to a “parish Sister, who’s kind of in charge.” The pastor of your parish – a priest – ought to be the one in charge. In the kind of diocese in which you wind up with a Sister who’s in charge, I don’t know how high your hopes ought to be of swift correction from the bishop. In any event, make sure you save all correspondence.

Oh, and I forgot the very first step you ought to take: say a prayer for the priest. I’m sure that he was trying to do what he thought was best for the congregation; he just went about it in a completely-wrongheaded way.

 

[Vico]

This morning i went to Mass, the priest instead of giving a homily gave the congregation a general absolution. That is said a few prayers with the response…“Jesus have mercy on me a sinner.” and then went to the first pew ask everyone to stand, and said something like, through the ministry of the church i give you pardon and peace in the Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. and then continue on to every other pew.

Apart from being quite shocked i raised it with our parish Sister, whos kind of in charge. She told me that who am i to question the Priest, and that “if i don’t like it, don’t come here” I tried to explain to her my position about the norm for confession but wouldnt listen and told me really not to question him.

After this i went to the Priest to talk to him, and apart from being very defensive and quite rude, told me because it is a rural town he gave confession because people can’t make it. This was quite perculiar because after mass is the time designated for people to come to Confession, and no-one came. So my understanding is that it would be the peoples own cause and fault that they do not make it to confession, and not making it a good enough reason for General Confession.

He then packed up his belongings and left, leaving me abit hurt and unsure.

What should i do?

The bishop must decide this issue.

From the Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

CCC 1483; CIC 961, 962:

Can. 961 §1 General absolution, without prior individual confession, cannot be given to a number of penitents together, unless:

1° danger of death threatens and there is not time for the priest or priests to hear the confessions of the individual penitents;

2° there exists a grave necessity, that is, given the number of penitents, there are not enough confessors available properly to hear the individual confessions within an appropriate time, so that without fault of their own the penitents are deprived of the sacramental grace or of holy communion for a lengthy period of time. A sufficient necessity is not, however, 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.

§2 It is for the diocesan Bishop to judge whether the conditions required in §1, n. 2 are present; mindful of the criteria agreed with the other members of the Episcopal Conference, he can determine the cases of such necessity.

Can. 962 §1 For a member of Christ’s faithful to benefit validly from a sacramental absolution given to a number of people simultaneously, it is required not only that he or she be properly disposed, but be also at the same time personally resolved to confess in due time each of the grave sins which cannot for the moment be thus confessed.

§2 Christ’s faithful are to be instructed about the requirements set out in §1, as far as possible even on the occasion of general absolution being received. An exhortation that each person should make an act of contrition is to precede a general absolution, even in the case of danger of death if there is time.

Can. 963 Without prejudice to the obligation mentioned in can. 989, a person whose grave sins are forgiven by a general absolution, is as soon as possible, when the opportunity occurs, to make an individual confession before receiving another general absolution, unless a just reason intervenes.

 

[floresco]

You did have a right to question the priest on this:
Can. 212 §1. Conscious of their own responsibility, the Christian faithful are bound to follow with Christian obedience those things which the sacred pastors, inasmuch as they represent Christ, declare as teachers of the faith or establish as rulers of the Church.

§2. The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.

§3. According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess,they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.

Perhaps you could write a letter to the priest, respectfully stating your concerns and including the section of Canon law on general absolution (quoted in an above post). Send a copy of this letter to the sister and the bishop.

 

[laszlo]

It’s also concerning that you refer to a “parish Sister, who’s kind of in charge.” The pastor of your parish – a priest – ought to be the one in charge.

In many dioceses there are not enough priests. Consequently pastoral associates, often sisters or religious order are appointed as lay administrators, and a priest is coming only occasionally, the regular service is without Mass, only the readings and the communion.

As for the topic the general absolution is allowed only in case of extreme necessity, many churches tried it, and the Apostolic see consequently rejected it, allowing only for special cases of communal danger.

However, we had to face the problem: even now there are not enough priests for auricular confession, and the case will worsen, instead of getting better. A probable resolution is that the faithful who want to confess write down their sins, hand it to the priest who reads it, gives penance and at the end absolution.

The decision has to be made by the Apostolic see, but somehow we all, priests and layman had to do everything that the church, the hierarchy, the clergy and the laity understand the importance of the absolution.

My recommendation for the Original Poster is: go and make a auricular confession every month, and think how can this remedy be available for everyone.

 

[At_Trent]

Does this have something to do with “regional reconcilliation” ?

In my Archdiocese, there are times and dates for such as an Advent event at various parishes.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Does this have something to do with “regional reconcilliation” ?

In my Archdiocese, there are times and dates for such as an Advent event at various parishes.

Is that Rite 2, where individuals make individual confession to an individual confessor during a liturgy called a Penitential Service. They’re quite common during Advent and Lent.

 

[Like]

Does this have something to do with “regional reconcilliation” ?

In my Archdiocese, there are times and dates for such as an Advent event at various parishes.

This sounds like what our parish does twrice a year, at Advent & Lent. Where all the island parishes (8 I think) come to our Church for confession.

It’s very crowded & being my wife is in wheelchair we have only gone once. It seems to me that about 95% to 98% attend this only and don’t do other confession through out the year. The wife and I try to go to confession at least once a month.

We have been to all the other Masses on Sunday & have yet to see anyone go to confession before any Mass. I have spoken to many, many of members of our parish & all I’ve talked to profess that is all anyone needs to go. Yet almost all receive Holy Communion.

For this year, we have been going to 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday do to the crowd at other Masses & need to get there by 4 PM in order to find a handicap parking space. When I feel like I should confess I stand at the back & wait for the priest to come. A couple of weeks ago, a lady (head of the EMCH) asked me if I was waiting for father for confession. I said yes & she advised me confessions were on Saturday before the 5 PM Mass. I showed her in the church bulletin where it states: Confession on Saturdays from 4:15 PM to 4:45 PM & before all other Masses upon request.

She clearly did not like the correction. Also, if I don’t receive Communion at some Mass, invariably, someone will ask why I didn’t receive!
And have been asked by several why we were not at one of the 2 yearly Island wide Reconciliations.
OK, flame away anyone.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

This morning i went to Mass, the priest instead of giving a homily gave the congregation a general absolution. That is said a few prayers with the response…“Jesus have mercy on me a sinner.” and then went to the first pew ask everyone to stand, and said something like, through the ministry of the church i give you pardon and peace in the Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. and then continue on to every other pew.

Apart from being quite shocked i raised it with our parish Sister, whos kind of in charge. She told me that who am i to question the Priest, and that “if i don’t like it, don’t come here” I tried to explain to her my position about the norm for confession but wouldnt listen and told me really not to question him.

After this i went to the Priest to talk to him, and apart from being very defensive and quite rude, told me because it is a rural town he gave confession because people can’t make it. This was quite perculiar because after mass is the time designated for people to come to Confession, and no-one came. So my understanding is that it would be the peoples own cause and fault that they do not make it to confession, and not making it a good enough reason for General Confession.

He then packed up his belongings and left, leaving me abit hurt and unsure.

What should i do?

Have you checked with your diocese under what conditions your diocesan bishop has allowed General Absolution to be given?

 

[Matthew_Holford]

This sounds like what our parish does twrice a year, at Advent & Lent. Where all the island parishes (8 I think) come to our Church for confession.

It’s very crowded & being my wife is in wheelchair we have only gone once. It seems to me that about 95% to 98% attend this only and don’t do other confession through out the year. The wife and I try to go to confession at least once a month.

We have been to all the other Masses on Sunday & have yet to see anyone go to confession before any Mass. I have spoken to many, many of members of our parish & all I’ve talked to profess that is all anyone needs to go. Yet almost all receive Holy Communion.

For this year, we have been going to 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday do to the crowd at other Masses & need to get there by 4 PM in order to find a handicap parking space. When I feel like I should confess I stand at the back & wait for the priest to come. A couple of weeks ago, a lady (head of the EMCH) asked me if I was waiting for father for confession. I said yes & she advised me confessions were on Saturday before the 5 PM Mass. I showed her in the church bulletin where it states: Confession on Saturdays from 4:15 PM to 4:45 PM & before all other Masses upon request.

She clearly did not like the correction. Also, if I don’t receive Communion at some Mass, invariably, someone will ask why I didn’t receive!
And have been asked by several why we were not at one of the 2 yearly Island wide Reconciliations.
OK, flame away anyone.

I’m not going to flame away. I want to say we shouldn’t judge other people. The fact that you haven’t seen someone go to confession does not provide conclusive proof that they haven’t been to confession. Those that haven’t been to confession may not have committed mortal sins. Likewise, no one should be judging why you do not receive Communion on some occasions.

Good for you in correcting the head of the EMHCs

 

[laszlo]

This sounds like what our parish does twrice a year, at Advent & Lent. Where all the island parishes (8 I think) come to our Church for confession.

This ‘twice a year’ or even ‘once a year’ confession was quite a norm before St Pius X. People followed the precept of the Church, made confession in Lent and went to communion on the following Sunday. First the confession-communion was extended to Lent too, later to each first Friday, and for some people to each week.

 

[At_Trent]

Ok,. thanks all. I just go when I need to and do a Spritual Communion when I haven’t been when I need to. I’ve seen the schedule posted before, but If I go to frequent confession, I see no need. If I happen to be present, I’ll participate, but it hasn’t happened yet.

I’ve been asked a couple of times when visiting parishes for a weekday Mass. Usually an older woman who probably thinks I’m just coming into the Church. I just tell them I don’t receive at every Mass. I can tell they want to know more, but I just smile and change the subject

 

[MikeDunphy]

For this year, we have been going to 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday do to the crowd at other Masses & need to get there by 4 PM in order to find a handicap parking space. When I feel like I should confess I stand at the back & wait for the priest to come.
…Confession on Saturdays from 4:15 PM to 4:45 PM & before all other Masses upon request.
…OK, flame away anyone.

I think that if you could get to confession on Saturdays, that might be easier on your priest. Bossy EMCH lady may have just been trying to protect Father.

No criticism from me for your regular confessions! I wish all Catholics did the same.