Validity of Confession

[Arbie]

Perhaps this is a question best suited for “Ask an Apologest” but here goes. I live in an area where the local bishop has mandated that our archdiosese utilize form1 (private) or form 2 (communal reconciliation w/ private afterwards) for confession. There are a number of parishes within the archidoseses that utilizing form 3 (communal penance w/ general absolution).

Your thoughts on the validity of confession should someone utilize form 3 at one of these rogue parishes

 

[thistle]

Arbie:

Perhaps this is a question best suited for “Ask an Apologest” but here goes. I live in an area where the local bishop has mandated that our archdiosese utilize form1 (private) or form 2 (communal reconciliation w/ private afterwards) for confession. There are a number of parishes within the archidoseses that utilizing form 3 (communal penance w/ general absolution).

Your thoughts on the validity of confession should someone utilize form 3 at one of these rogue parishes

**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. **

 

[Rebecca_New]

After absolution I was ready to say the Act of Contrition and the Priest said that we are not saying that before we enter the confessional. First I have heard of this. Does this fit into one of the three forms?