Apostolic Penitentiary Archives

Cardinal upholds ‘probable invalidity’ of confession by phone

Dec 7, 2020

Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people’s ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

By Carol Glatz

Vatican extends time to obtain full indulgences for souls in purgatory

Oct 23, 2020

Plenary or full indulgences traditionally obtained during the first week of November for the souls of the faithful in purgatory can now be gained throughout the entire month of November, the Vatican said.

By Carol Glatz

Vatican says general absolution may be permissible during pandemic

Mar 20, 2020

In places particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and with severe limits on people leaving their homes, conditions may exist to grant general absolution to the faithful without them personally confessing their sins first, the Vatican said.

By Cindy Wooden

Pray for the dead, gain indulgences for them, cardinal urges Catholics

Nov 1, 2019

The early November feasts of All Saints and All Souls are reminders that God’s church exists both on earth and in heaven and that all the faithful, living and dead, can and should pray for each other, a top Vatican official wrote.

By Cindy Wooden

Vatican says ‘no human power’ can compel priests to violate seal of confession

Jul 1, 2019

As California is currently embroiled in a battle over whether to punish priests for not breaking the seal of confession in cases when child abuse is revealed, the Vatican has issued a statement reaffirming the “inviolability” of the confidentiality of confession, and saying political pressure in this regard is a breach of religious liberty.

By Elise Harris

Betraying internal forum is a sin, pope tells confessors

Mar 29, 2019

In confession, the privacy of one’s conscience before God, also known as the internal forum, must always be protected and not be used to influence decisions outside the confessional, Pope Francis said.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Pray for families, receive an indulgence, Vatican says

May 23, 2018

Catholics who participate in the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in August or pray with their families during the Aug. 21-26 event can receive a plenary indulgence, the Vatican announced.

By Cindy Wooden

Confessors should seek to bring penitents closer to Jesus, pope says

Mar 9, 2018

A good confessor is a good listener, Pope Francis said. By truly listening to the penitent during confession, “we listen to Jesus himself, poor and humble; by listening to the Holy Spirit, we put ourselves in attentive obedience, becoming listeners of the Word” in order to know what God wants to be done, he said.

By Carol Glatz