Public Confession during Mass

[emom]

I went to mass yesterday and our priest held a public confession. He went through the examining of our conscious and asked us to reflect. Then he gave us absolution and penance, three our father’s, hail mary and glory be. I was surprised that he could do this and wanted to know if this would be a valid confession and the same as a private confession that would go to?

Also, this was by chance that I attended this mass. I am trying to have my young children to “practice” to be good in church and I decide to take them to the daily mass. I was having difficultity so I was very distracted, but I tried my best to do my confession and reflect. Does this count?

 

[Joan_M]

emom:

I went to mass yesterday and our priest held a public confession. He went through the examining of our conscious and asked us to reflect. Then he gave us absolution and penance, three our father’s, hail mary and glory be. I was surprised that he could do this and wanted to know if this would be a valid confession and the same as a private confession that would go to?

Also, this was by chance that I attended this mass. I am trying to have my young children to “practice” to be good in church and I decide to take them to the daily mass. I was having difficultity so I was very distracted, but I tried my best to do my confession and reflect. Does this count?

When did he do this? The title says “Public Confession during Mass” but you don’t say where in the Mass he did it.

Regardless, this is not proper at all. Such a general absolution is forbidden expect in circumstances of true emergency (such as a batallion of soldiers going into battle and there is no time for individual confessions).

If it was after the Mass started, it is doubly wrong - the priest inserted something into the Mass. Doing this is condemned by the Church.

I would ask him why he did this, and if he intends to continue doing it. If he intends to continue, I would then contact the Bishop.

 

[emom]

Joan M:

When did he do this? The title says “Public Confession during Mass” but you don’t say where in the Mass he did it.

I was after his homily. Is this then not valid?

 

[TAS2000]

As I understand it, what was said so far is not technically wrong (except for it being during mass). A communal reconcilliation service is allowed, and usually consists of the preist going over an examination of consceince so people can get prepared. He can even give a “group” pennace-everyone will have the same pennance. BUT, the individuals must then go to individual confession and confess their specific sins. Without the individual confession, it would be wrong. Usually (but not always) there are multiple preists around after the service for this purpose. He can not deliver a general absolution (except in emergencies). But a communal pennance is ok.

 

[Brain]

TANGENT ALERT

Isnt there, i know the term is incorrect, a “minor absolution” in the penitetntial rite, that frees us from any venial sins? I heared this somewhere and the claim is stengthened by the fact that if ever laypeople only are saying the confiedetor, in my experience, they dont do the “may god grant us peace forgive us our sins and bring us to eternal life” part yet priests always do (this is drwan from my experiences saying the compline in “mixed” company and alone, attending masses for 19 years, and communion services in the abscence of a priest).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

emom:

I went to mass yesterday and our priest held a public confession. He went through the examining of our conscious and asked us to reflect. Then he gave us absolution and penance, three our father’s, hail mary and glory be. I was surprised that he could do this and wanted to know if this would be a valid confession and the same as a private confession that would go to?

Also, this was by chance that I attended this mass. I am trying to have my young children to “practice” to be good in church and I decide to take them to the daily mass. I was having difficultity so I was very distracted, but I tried my best to do my confession and reflect. Does this count?

No this would be highly irregular celebration of the Sacrament. Individual Confession is required as soon as possible for anyone there.

 

[bear06]

emom:

I was after his homily. Is this then not valid?

Are you going into battle or is your Church being bombed? Here’s what CA has advised on the matter:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=23288&highlight=general+absolution

There’s more but here’s some of the highlights:
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.

§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.

Can. 986 §1. All to whom the care of souls has been entrusted in virtue of some function are obliged to make provision so that the confessions of the faithful entrusted to them are heard when they reasonably seek to be heard and that they have the opportunity to approach individual confession on days and at times established for their convenience.

While I doubt that you’re priest has valid need to provide general absolution, I’m guessing, and I stress the guess part, that the absolution you received would probably be valid just based on the ignorance of the congregation. The priest offered it and to most there, they would have no knowledge of it being wrong to do it this way. Like I said again, this is only a guess. Maybe Deacon Ed, et. al., would be able to more clarify this issue.

 

[bear06]

Br. Rich SFO:

No this would be highly irregular celebration of the Sacrament. Individual Confession is required as soon as possible for anyone there.

See, I knew one of you would step in. I have a question on the validity of this. I know it’s illicit but if the priest did not instruct the faithful properly and they, in good faith, thought they had fulfilled their obligation, would it then be valid?

I’m not for it in anyway but i’m just curious to the technicality of the matter.

Thanks!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

bear06:

See, I knew one of you would step in. I have a question on the validity of this. I know it’s illicit but if the priest did not instruct the faithful properly and they, in good faith, thought they had fulfilled their obligation, would it then be valid?

I’m not for it in anyway but i’m just curious to the technicality of the matter.

Thanks!

As I indicated illicit but possibly not invalid. Requiring individual Sacramental confession as soon as possible.

If someone walked into a bus after Mass not knowing the General Absolution was conditional I personal feel they would be forgiven. But that is my personal opinion.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Okay, a little clarification here. First, the reception of communion forgives all venial sins. Period. Thus, if one was simply in a state of venial sin the general absolution adds nothing. If one is in a state of mortal sin one cannot go to communion so that avenue is not available. The theological reasoning behind general absolution is that there is some imminent tragedy about to befall people and that the immensity of this precludes individual confession. This is normally used in war time when a single chaplain cannot hear all the confessions. He grants a general absolution – but one requirement of this is that anyone aware of mortal sin must confess in private confession if possible. So, say a soldier is in mortal sin, receives general absolution and dies in battle. The sin is remitted because he had formed the intention to go to confession but was prevented from going by virtue of death. If, however, he survives, the he is obligated to go to confession.

Since most of the people in the church were not about to go into battle or suffer a calamity there seems to be no reason for the priest to have offered general absolution. Further, it seems highly probable that someone was present in a state of mortal sin and thinks he or she is forgiven. Theologically, such a person, if ignorant of the requirement for confession, can be held blameless for not going to individual confession.

That being said, the priest should never have gone through the motions of general absolution. In my diocese where we’ve been known to have an earthquake or two, the previous bishop said that there would never be occasion for general absolution!

Deacon Ed

 

[bauerice]

It makes me think why? Why are so many Catholics afraid of the confessional? I am a convert of 3 years and I love freedom and the clean feel I have afterward!:dancing:

 

[PiusXIII]

Absolution with no actual confession sounds so very Protestant.

 

[pira114]

Actually, this whole thing sounds O.K. to me. Don’t freak out yet, just hear me out. In the Military, I got this a lot. I questioned it and this is what I was told.

As a Catholic, it is assumed that you go to confession regularly. This means that the Priest can assume that you go to confession, give the group absolution, and not worry about you not confessing the sins personally.

As for when he did it. I can’t quote anything here, but everytime I experienced this, it was right after the homily. The two Priests I talked to about it never brought up when it was done, so I assumed they knew the rules.

By the way, I experienced this not during combat, but in the field during peace time. I’ve also had it done on base during peace time. Ironically, I never had it done right before a hostile action. I don’t think you have to be just about to go to battle, or drown in a sinking ship. Any of us could die in the next few minutes.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

pira114:

Actually, this whole thing sounds O.K. to me. Don’t freak out yet, just hear me out. In the Military, I got this a lot. I questioned it and this is what I was told.

As a Catholic, it is assumed that you go to confession regularly. This means that the Priest can assume that you go to confession, give the group absolution, and not worry about you not confessing the sins personally.

As for when he did it. I can’t quote anything here, but everytime I experienced this, it was right after the homily. The two Priests I talked to about it never brought up when it was done, so I assumed they knew the rules.

By the way, I experienced this not during combat, but in the field during peace time. I’ve also had it done on base during peace time. Ironically, I never had it done right before a hostile action. I don’t think you have to be just about to go to battle, or drown in a sinking ship. Any of us could die in the next few minutes.

Unfortunately that assumption on longer applies especially in the United States. Most Catholics have not been to Confession for 5, 10 or even 25 years. Usually they are looking for an easy way out. Many now since most Bishops have clamped down on general absolution, go to a healing Mass where they can receive the Anointing of the Sick. They mistakenly think that receiving this Sacrament in a healing Mass forgives their mortal sins and eliminates their need for Sacramental Confession. Most simply don’t want to admit their human failings.