Confession Archives

Outdoor confession priest reflects on realities of pandemic ministry

May 20, 2021

A parishioner and army veteran wrote to me and said, “When we were getting ready to deploy… we broke all kinds of rules under the aegis of ‘we’re going to war.’ I think you’re afforded the same degree of protection for making expedient decisions.”

By Charles C. Camosy

Sharing goods not communism but ‘pure Christianity,’ Pope says

Apr 11, 2021

Pope Francis marked Divine Mercy Sunday in the Roman church Church of Santo Spirito, which was half empty yet filled with male and female prisoners from three local prisons, a migrant family from Argentina, refugees coming from Syria, Nigeria and Egypt, and religious sisters who work in a local hospital.

By Inés San Martín

Pope to confessors: Be fathers, brothers who offer consolation, mercy

Mar 12, 2021

Every confessor should understand he is a sinner, forgiven by God, and he is there to offer his brothers and sisters — sinners, too — the same divine mercy and forgiveness he has received, Pope Francis said.

By Carol Glatz

Vatican says general absolution still permissible during pandemic

Mar 12, 2021

Offering general absolution to the faithful without having them personally confess their sins first may still be done in places seeing serious or increasing levels of coronavirus infections, a Vatican official said.

By Carol Glatz

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

Report abuse learned in confession or go to jail, says Australian state

Sep 8, 2020

A new law requires priests in the state of Queensland to break the seal of confession to report child sex abuse to police or face three years in jail.

By Catholic News Service

Vatican tells Australian Church that seal of confession not up for debate

Sep 5, 2020

Although reaffirming the principle that the seal of confession can never be violated, the Vatican has told Church leaders in Australia that victims of sexual abuse should be encouraged to report abuse to the proper authorities.

By Charles Collins

Decline in confession called harmful to church’s mission to spread Gospel

Jul 13, 2020

With COVID restrictions lifting, pastors looking to welcome faithful back should rethink their confession schedules — and start talking more about the sacrament in the pulpit.

By Gina Christian