Group absolution

[Hogtown]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and I have a question about confession.

I went to confession last week to confess a mortal sin. Unfortunately, the priest ran out of time due to noon Mass and he called together about four of us who were still waiting in line. He told us he couldn’t hear our individual confessions at this time but would give us absolution.

He told us if we were sorry for our sins that he would give the absolution along with a penance, and to go to confession as soon as possible.

My question is can I receive Holy Communion if I am unable to go to Confession again prior to the next time I attend Mass?

Thanks!!

YBIC

Hogtown

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hogtown:

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and I have a question about confession.

I went to confession last week to confess a mortal sin. Unfortunately, the priest ran out of time due to noon Mass and he called together about four of us who were still waiting in line. He told us he couldn’t hear our individual confessions at this time but would give us absolution.

He told us if we were sorry for our sins that he would give the absolution along with a penance, and to go to confession as soon as possible.

My question is can I receive Holy Communion if I am unable to go to Confession again prior to the next time I attend Mass?

Thanks!!

YBIC

Hogtown

I have a hard time seeing this situration as qualifying for General Absolution.

 

[Orionthehunter]

Because the Priest told them to go to Confession as soon as possible, it could be similar to when a Military Chaplain gives general absolution prior to battle. While there is an absolution, the penitant is required to make a good confession as soon as possible right after.

The benefit to the penitant is that the person will be able to receive the Eucharist in the meantime. Possibly this was the objective of the Priest.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Orionthehunter:

Because the Priest told them to go to Confession as soon as possible, it could be similar to when a Military Chaplain gives general absolution prior to battle. While there is an absolution, the penitant is required to make a good confession as soon as possible right after.

The benefit to the penitant is that the person will be able to receive the Eucharist in the meantime. Possibly this was the objective of the Priest.

I don’t see any similarity. They were not in any danger of death or would have been prevented from receiving Holy Communion or Reconciliation for an inordinate amount of time. Maybe a week at most?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Br. Rich SFO:

I don’t see any similarity. They were not in any danger of death or would have been prevented from receiving Holy Communion or Reconciliation for an inordinate amount of time. Maybe a week at most?

Right - As I recall one month is defined as an inordinate amount of time.

 

[thistle]

One Saturday I went to Confession. I was lucky because I was near the start of the queue but as the priest hearing Confession was also the priest celebrating Mass after Confession he did not have time to hear the confessions of everyone in the line. Before Mass started he publicly announced to all in the Church that the few people who were left in the line when he came out were given general absolution so they could receive the Eucharist (it wasn’t their fault that their confessions were not heard) but that after Mass had ended these few people had to stay behind so that he would then hear their confession.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

thistle:

One Saturday I went to Confession. I was lucky because I was near the start of the queue but as the priest hearing Confession was also the priest celebrating Mass after Confession he did not have time to hear the confessions of everyone in the line. Before Mass started he publicly announced to all in the Church that the few people who were left in the line when he came out were given general absolution so they could receive the Eucharist (it wasn’t their fault that their confessions were not heard) but that after Mass had ended these few people had to stay behind so that he would then hear their confession.

Which was improper. He should have said come back after Mass and I will hear your Confession. They would not have been able to receive Holy Communion at the Mass as a result of their sinful acts. He may need to consider getting into the confessional a half hour sooner.

 

[Hogtown]

Thank you for clarifying Brother. I am new to the faith and unfamiliar with general absolution. I am glad that I was able to go to confession a few days after this occured. The priest didn’t saying anything about reception of communion, so I didn’t know what to do.

YBIC,

Hogtown

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hogtown:

Thank you for clarifying Brother. I am new to the faith and unfamiliar with general absolution. I am glad that I was able to go to confession a few days after this occured. The priest didn’t saying anything about reception of communion, so I didn’t know what to do.

YBIC,

Hogtown

I used the word improper instead of wrong because I can see why he might have wanted to do this. However we need to realize that it is a consequence of our sin that keeps us away from receiving the Sacraments. This should all the more remind us to avoid giving temptation a foothold in our lives.