Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 113.  Sat  7-27-91 18:50
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Jerry Vest
 Subject: General Absolution

Dear Jerry,
 
Call around to churches in your area and ask whether and when PENANCE
SERVICES are held in those churches.  Sometimes such services
conclude with a general absolution.  This, however, is not a
substitute for private confession, but a preparation for more
fruitful confession.  Canons 961 and 962 of the Code of Canon Law
give the rules for general absolution, i.e., absolution given to a
number of penitents without previous individual confession.  General
absolution is allowed (1) in imminent danger of death (e.g., the ship
is sinking and there is no time for individual confessions); or (2) a
serious necessity exists.  This means that there are too many people
for the available number of priests, so that people would be deprived
of sacramental grace or Holy Communion for a long time unless general
absolution were given.  N.B. A pilgrimage or celebration attracting
huge numbers of people is not considered a serious necessity
justifying general absolution.
 
For general absolution to be valid--i.e., for sins actually to be
forgiven thereby--the individual receiving such absolution must be
suitably disposed, i.e., must be truly sorry for sins committed and
firmly resolved to avoid future sins.  Furthermore, he or she must
have the intention of going to confession as soon as there is
opportunity to do so (canon 963).
 
The U.S. military nowadays suffers a severe shortage of Catholic
chaplains, so that perhaps there is much more need for general
absolution there than in civilian life.  However, IN EVERY SITUATION
the bishop is the ONLY JUDGE of the need for and conditions of
general absolution.
 
Since there is a question of the forgiveness of sins, a Catholic will
be very careful not to risk eternal salvation by trying an "end run"
to avoid private confession.  The sacrament of penance is one of
Christ's most loving gifts to us, purchased at the cost of His life.
It should be received and used regularly and frequently with
gratitude and love.
 
                                   Sincerely in Christ,
                                   Father Mateo