Confession Archives

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

Italy’s church going back to business, but not business as usual

May 12, 2020

Although when public liturgies may resume in the Vatican remains unclear, the church in Italy, anyway, is going back to business – but it’s likely to be far from business as usual.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Church/state deal means Mass will be back in Italy on May 18

May 8, 2020

Italian bishops announced Thursday a deal with the government to resume public Mass on Monday, May 18, which means the first Sunday Mass to be reopened will be May 24, which in Italy is the Feast of the Ascension.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Beyond social fallout, Vatican faces spiritual and pastoral recovery too

Apr 17, 2020

ope Francis is well aware that global institutions such as the UN, the EU, the US government and others are also pondering social and political recovery, though none from the Vatican’s unique perspective. Yet there are also challenges to which only the Vatican really is in a position to respond regarding the spiritual and pastoral fallout of the pandemic.

By John L. Allen Jr.