General absolution

[simpleas]

Why is general absolution not very popular among bishops for their congregations?

Do you access to general absolution masses in your area?

I have heard of one Church not far from me that has this mass once a year which many attend, when it was asked to our priest he said our new bishop had already said no to it.

Just wondered what happens across the world.

Thanks.

 

[Pax2u]

It’s my understanding that general absolution is not allowed except in the case of an emergency, ex: the plane is going down, the troops are going out to battle, etc.

 

[Joan_M]

Why is general absolution not very popular among bishops for their congregations?

Do you access to general absolution masses in your area?****??? Never heard of such a thing! When a general absolution would be needed, such as in a catastrophe - maybe a building has collapsed from an earthquake, or an aircraft about to crash - any available priest can give a general absolution. Such a general absolution is on condition that, should people survive, they will go to individual confession as soon as they can.

I have heard of one Church not far from me that has this mass once a year which many attend, when it was asked to our priest he said our new bishop had already said no to it.

Just wondered what happens across the world.

Thanks.

Your bishop was totally correct to so no to such a Mass. It would have been a severe abuse of the Sacrament of Confession. That is the universal law.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I find myself wondering if, during the upcoming Year of Mercy to be proclaimed by Pope Francis, he might permit a special General Absolution service on a one-time basis in each diocese or parish, as a merciful way of bring back those who find themselves unable to confront the Sacrament after years of being away, but who would be drawn back by the opportunity of a “fresh start.” Just a thought.

 

[Phemie]

I find myself wondering if, during the upcoming Year of Mercy to be proclaimed by Pope Francis, he might permit a special General Absolution service on a one-time basis in each diocese or parish, as a merciful way of bring back those who find themselves unable to confront the Sacrament after years of being away, but who would be drawn back by the opportunity of a “fresh start.” Just a thought.

What would be the point? They still have to confess any mortal sin to a priest in person. Not that that was ever mentioned to us at any point in the 10-12 years that Penitential services with General Absolution were the rage in this area.

 

[OraLabora]

What would be the point? They still have to confess any mortal sin to a priest in person. Not that that was ever mentioned to us at any point in the 10-12 years that Penitential services with General Absolution were the rage in this area.

I don’t know if we still have them in our parish (I just go to the abbey for confession), but when I’ve been to them, they’ve always had one-on-one confession with a priest available. In fact they’d hold it in one church in the area, and have all the priests available to hear private confessions.

 

[Phemie]

I don’t know if we still have them in our parish (I just go to the abbey for confession), but when I’ve been to them, they’ve always had one-on-one confession with a priest available. In fact they’d hold it in one church in the area, and have all the priests available to hear private confessions.

Oh, nothing wrong with Form II of Reconciliation. In fact, I’d be very happy if there was a Penitential Service once a month. I like the readings, the examination of conscience, etc. Once a month might put in people’s minds that it’s important to confess regularly.

But around here, until 2002, it was Form III. Reconciliation Service with General Absolution. Nary a mention of private confession of mortal sins. In some parishes to which I belonged that was the only mode of reconciliation available without an appointment.

Once General Absolution was discontinued we started scheduling services to coincide with priests coming in to the parish on their way to a Mission for Christmas or Easter. That way the Pastor wasn’t the only one available to hear confession. Sadly, without General Absolution people pretty much stopped coming to the Reconciliation Services. The last time we held one I think there were about 20 people in attendance and Fr. was out of the confessional and gone home in less than 15 minutes (he was the only priest).

 

[InThePew]

It’s my understanding that general absolution is not allowed except in the case of an emergency, ex: the plane is going down, the troops are going out to battle, etc.

More or less - it can also be used in other situations of necessity which aren’t nearly as dramatic or dire - for example a Rite II reconciliation where 200 people show up but only 2 priests. Obviously hearing 100 confessions a piece isn’t going to happen in any reasonable amount of time so in those circumstances general absolution is permitted. That said, it’s not permitted to engineer this sort of “emergency” by deliberately arranging for their to be too few priests - as some priests have been known to do! Of course, as Phemie has pointed out, a follow-up is necessary for any mortal sins. Putting aside universal law for a moment, as one who struggled with confession for quite a while (and still does although to a lesser extent) IMHO general absolution would have to be the worst possible solution to such struggles.

Incidentally, we had confessions at my parish yesterday - before and after the Stations of the Cross in the morning and after the Passion liturgy. While a little more promotion wouldn’t have hurt, there were signs “advertising” the second session and an announcement was made after the Stations of the Cross. A priest other than the parish priest was available and for both sessions there were more than a few people taking up the offer!

 

[Neofight]

During Lent and advent about a dozen churches in our area have a liturgy of the word, a couple times a week rotating from one parish to the next. The priests from all the parishes are there, sometimes nearly 20 priests, to hear confessions.

The liturgy contains an act of contrition, which is done as a community, but confessions are heard individually, absolution is given individually, and penance is individual.

could such a service just be called a “general absolution” in error?

Peace and all good!

 

[thistle]

Why is general absolution not very popular among bishops for their congregations?

Do you access to general absolution masses in your area?

I have heard of one Church not far from me that has this mass once a year which many attend, when it was asked to our priest he said our new bishop had already said no to it.

Just wondered what happens across the world.

Thanks.

I worked in Hong Kong during the SARS crisis. As congregating in crowds was high risk at that time the Archbishop suspended all Masses until the SARS crisis was over and granted a General Absolution to all Catholics there. However, individual confession had to be made for those sins under General Absolution as soon as the crisis was over.

 

[Vico]

Why is general absolution not very popular among bishops for their congregations?

Do you access to general absolution masses in your area?

I have heard of one Church not far from me that has this mass once a year which many attend, when it was asked to our priest he said our new bishop had already said no to it.

Just wondered what happens across the world.

Thanks.

Latin Canon LawCan. 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.
The reason is it not popular is that it is not normally allowed: 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.
​