Can General Absolution Truly Forgive Mortal Sins?

The Catholic Church teaches that individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the sole ordinary means by which one who is conscious of grave sin is reconciled with God and with the Church. However, there are extraordinary circumstances in which general absolution may be granted. These circumstances are outlined in the Decree on the Rite of Penance, promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1973, and include situations of imminent danger of death or grave necessity. In such cases, a priest may grant general absolution to a group of people without hearing the confession of each individual. Nevertheless, it is important to note that general absolution should not be used as a substitute for individual confession, and that those who receive general absolution are expected to make an individual confession as soon as possible.

General absolution is only permitted in cases of grave necessity

The Catholic Church teaches that general absolution is only permitted in cases of grave necessity. This means that individual confession and absolution remain the ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church. Grave necessity is typically understood as an imminent danger of death, such as in the case of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in 1979, where there was a risk of an explosion that would release large quantities of radioactive material. In such situations, there may not be enough time for a priest or priests to hear the individual confessions of each penitent.

In these cases of grave necessity, general absolution may be given to a group of penitents who have been exhorted to repent and make an act of contrition. This can also occur when there are not enough confessors available to hear the confessions of a large number of penitents within an appropriate time frame, resulting in the penitents being deprived of the sacramental grace of Penance or Holy Communion for an extended period. However, this does not apply when there is simply a large number of penitents gathered for a special occasion, such as a parish penance service during Lent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vatican affirmed that general absolution may be permissible in places particularly hard hit by the virus and with severe restrictions on movement. In these cases, the local bishop, in consultation with their bishops' conference, must determine the specific cases of grave necessity in which collective absolution is permissible. For example, this could include imparting collective absolution at the entrance to hospital wards where COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, using amplification methods while respecting the sacramental seal.

It is important to note that those who have received general absolution for their mortal sins are still required to make an individual auricular confession as soon as possible, but at least within a year, unless prevented by a grave reason. This ensures that they receive the full spiritual benefits of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation with God and the Church.

The penitent must be suitably disposed to receive absolution

For general absolution to be validly received, the penitent must be suitably disposed. This means that they must repent of their sins, be resolved to keep from sin, intend to repair any scandal or loss caused, and have the purpose of confessing in due time each serious sin that they are currently unable to confess.

The penitent must also be contrite for all their mortal sins and have the resolution to confess each of those mortal sins forgiven in general absolution at the earliest opportunity. This is a requirement for the valid reception of the sacrament.

Priests should carefully remind the faithful of these dispositions and conditions, which are essential for the sacrament to be valid. The penitent must also make an auricular confession before receiving absolution in a collective form another time, unless a just cause prevents them. They are strictly obliged, unless prevented by moral impossibility, to go to confession within a year.

General absolution requires the same preparation as individual confession

General absolution refers to the Catholic sacrament of penance, where a priest grants absolution to a group of people without hearing each person's confession of sins. This is distinct from individual confession, where a priest hears the confessions of each penitent one-on-one. While general absolution can be convenient in certain situations, it is not meant to replace individual confession as the ordinary means of reconciliation with God and the Church.

General absolution is reserved for extraordinary circumstances where it is physically or morally impossible to conduct individual confessions. For example, in cases of imminent danger or death, or when there is a "grave necessity" due to a large number of penitents and an insufficient number of priests. Even in these cases, certain conditions must be met for the valid reception of the sacrament.

The penitent must prepare by examining their conscience, repenting of their sins, feeling sincere contrition, and having the firm intention of not committing those sins again. They must also intend to confess their sins individually to a priest as soon as possible, typically within a year, unless prevented by a grave reason. The priest must also provide an explanation, read Scripture passages, and give a brief homily before imparting general absolution.

Therefore, general absolution requires the same spiritual preparation from the penitent as individual confession. The key difference is the practical aspect of confessing sins to a priest, which is an integral part of the sacrament of penance. While general absolution may be granted in extraordinary circumstances, individual confession remains the ordinary means for reconciliation, as it provides a personal encounter with God and the opportunity to verbally express and seek forgiveness for one's sins.

General absolution is not permitted due to a large number of penitents

General absolution is only permitted in two circumstances, and a large number of penitents gathered for a special occasion does not constitute a grave necessity. The first circumstance in which general absolution may be permitted is when there is an imminent danger of death, and there is insufficient time for a priest or priests to hear the confessions of everyone present. An example of this is a time of war, where a group of soldiers is unexpectedly ordered to leave for another location without their military chaplain and may not see another Catholic priest for months.

The second circumstance is when there is a serious need, meaning that there are so many penitents and not enough priests that the faithful would be deprived of the sacrament or communion for a long time. This is not lawful when confessors are able to be on hand, merely because of a large concourse of penitents, such as on a pilgrimage or a feast day. This circumstance is more often envisaged for mission territories where priests may visit certain villages only a few times a year.

The occurrence of a large number of penitents does not constitute a grave necessity. For instance, a parish may have a regular penance service during Lent, where the faithful gather for prayers, readings of Scripture, and a homily in preparation for individual private confessions heard by a group of priests. The fact that the number of penitents is large and confessions may last for a long time does not justify resorting to general absolution. General absolution may only be imparted in cases of grave necessity.

General absolution is considered a serious abuse if norms are not observed

General absolution refers to the forgiveness of sins granted to a group of people by a priest, without the need for individual confession. While this practice is generally discouraged by the Catholic Church, there are certain situations in which it is deemed acceptable. These situations are governed by strict norms, and failure to adhere to these norms is considered a serious abuse.

The Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Penance, which includes individual confession and absolution, is the only ordinary way for the faithful to obtain forgiveness for their sins and reconcile with God and the Church. However, in extraordinary circumstances, general absolution may be granted if there is an imminent danger of death or if there are not enough priests available to hear individual confessions within an appropriate timeframe. In such cases, the priest must still ensure that those seeking absolution are suitably disposed, having repented of their sins and committed to avoiding them in the future.

The norms governing general absolution are in place to ensure that the Sacrament of Penance is administered effectively and that the spiritual well-being of the faithful is protected. When these norms are not observed, the dignity of the Sacrament of Penance is compromised, and the spiritual growth of those involved may be hindered.

The granting of general absolution without following the established norms is, therefore, considered a serious abuse. This abuse can deprive individuals of the intimate and transformative experience of private confession, which is considered essential for ongoing spiritual conversion and growth in holiness. It also undermines the divine configuration of the sacrament, as established by Christ, who gave the apostles the power to forgive and retain sins through individual confession.

To prevent such abuses, pastors and priests have a moral duty to uphold the norms and ensure that general absolution is only granted in legitimate circumstances. They must also ensure that the faithful understand the importance of individual confession and its benefits for their spiritual well-being.

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