Would General Absolution be permitted when Mortar Attacks are expected to cause damage

[Mannyfit75]

This question would permit to priests and Canonical Lawyers,

I would like to know if General Absolution can be permitted in areas where repeated mortar, artillery, or rocket attacks is common. For example, a FOB in Iraq where Catholic Mass is celebrated, which may result in a possible danger of death?

 

[palmas85]

This question would permit to priests and Canonical Lawyers,

I would like to know if General Absolution can be permitted in areas where repeated mortar, artillery, or rocket attacks is common. For example, a FOB in Iraq where Catholic Mass is celebrated, which may result in a possible danger of death?

Yes. We would receive a form of general absolution often before going out into the field when I was in Viet Nam. The same can be extended to civilians in combat areas.

 

[Ignatius2000]

General Absolution was commonly given to those who were about to go into battle, with the stipulation that when you returned you were to confess individually. This practice is only necessitated in times where there is a very real probability of death. It pretty much lends itself to battlefield use and anywhere else there is the danger of death before being able to confess individually.

I see no issue with it offered even daily if the area is that dangerous. Again, the only concern is that you confess when you can. Keep in mind that the whole idea of General Absolution can be seen as an a priori administration of Last Rites, and even in that rite, the dying, if able, is to confess their sins.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This question would permit to priests and Canonical Lawyers,

I would like to know if General Absolution can be permitted in areas where repeated mortar, artillery, or rocket attacks is common. For example, a FOB in Iraq where Catholic Mass is celebrated, which may result in a possible danger of death?

Yes, in danger of possible death. The priest could offer a General Absolution to a group. remembering however that if everyone survives they are each required to receive the individual Sacrament ASAP.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Yes, in danger of possible death. The priest could offer a General Absolution to a group. remembering however that if everyone survives they are each required to receive the individual Sacrament ASAP.

I read that in the Canonical Law while Reading Mass Confusion by Jimmy Akin. He mention that if one receives General Absolution, the faithful is required to received the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible.

 

[bethndanny]

We had a priest, while in Okinawa, that said there was a need for him to give general absolution once while in Iraq.

 

[Sure]

Yes. We would receive a form of general absolution often before going out into the field when I was in Viet Nam. The same can be extended to civilians in combat areas.

By the way, thanks for that…Thank you for serving in Vietnam. You guys never get enough recognition, but you deserve it!

God bless!

 

[Digitonomy]

He mention that if one receives General Absolution, the faithful is required to received the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible.

It should be noted that the absolution is not conditional upon receiving the ordinary form of the sacrament later. However, failure to do so would usually be a new sin in and of itself.

 

[Al_Masetti]

If you receive general absolution and then are killed in battle (for example), then you are home free.

I was reading a history book (memoir) about the Vietnam War and an Air Force pilot in a combat area asked the Catholic chaplain if he could go to confession and the priest said they gave general absolution frequently … there just wasn’t time or enough priests to offer everyone personal confession.

During the U.S. Civil War, prior to a battle, Catholic chaplains would ride horseback down the battle lines giving general absolution to everyone. So all those fellows were covered.

If you don’t die, then … again … no problem. You’re alive.

If individual confession is available (and it may not be if the number of priests is small), then you can go but if not you are probably covered until you get back home.

At the World Trade Center, I know of two priests (and there may have been more) who stopped and gave general absolution to everyone in those buildings.

Made me feel better about some of my friends who didn’t make it out.

 

[puzzleannie]

This question would permit to priests and Canonical Lawyers,

I would like to know if General Absolution can be permitted in areas where repeated mortar, artillery, or rocket attacks is common. For example, a FOB in Iraq where Catholic Mass is celebrated, which may result in a possible danger of death?

it is permitted when the celebrant prudently thinks it is necessary and appropriate, so if he does it, the assumption should be that it is permitted, unless definitely proven otherwise, and no one who receives this absolution should feel any uneasiness about it, nor question the priest’s action, but contemplate the Divine Mercy and thank God for the opportunity to have the sacraments at this time.