Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 247.  Tue  2-11-92 17:14  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Douglas Delorge
 Subject: Confessions

+-
| I understand and agree somewhat with a statement that Father Kenneth
| Roberts (of EWTN fame) recently stated while in Indianapolis.  According
| to a recent article in Wayne Weible's newsletter on Medugorje, Fr. Roberts
| was visiting in Indianapolis, giving a retreat for High School children.
| Principals of local schools refused to return with their students because
| Fr. Ken's discussions on Heaven and hell "disturb" children.
| .
| He further goes on to state that one local parish refused to allow Fr.
| Roberts to conduct a benidiction.  Fr. Roberts suggests that parishoners
| contribute an empty envelope with an enclosed letter stating that a
| donation is being contributed to a Catholic charity or to Rome until such
| a time as the true teaching of the Church is taught at liturgy.
| .
| I don't see anything wrong with this.  So many priests today go off on
| their own direction, do their own thing, and forget about their true
| mission in life..
| .
| I was caught by a bit of surprise when having returned from Medugorje for
| the first time, I noticed how hard it is to have your confession heard
| here in Washington.  It seems that most parishes have confession at the
| same time.  I try to go to the Basilica of the National Shrine, however,
| before their Feast day masses, when the Church is full, there is only ONE
| priest hearing confession before mass.  Why don't they PLAN FOR THIS?  Is
| not it the responsiblity of the Church to be certain that those receiving
| Eucharist be clean of sin?  Yet each time I attend mass on a Feast day
| there is one priest hearing confession.  The room is full.  People go in
| and turn away and inevitably go to mass, receiving Eucharist with an
| unclean soul.
| .
| I agree witFr. Roberts.  If the pastor cannot teach according to the
| teachings of the Church, the donation should to another church.
+-[DD=>FM]
 
Dear Douglas,
 
There is no obligation to receive Holy Communion except once during the
Easter season.  It is each individual's responsibility to be in the
state of grace, free of mortal sin if one wishes to go to Holy
Communion.
 
In a city as large as Washington there are many parishes.  Are you sure
(have you called to be sure) that confessions are not heard on Saturday
afternoons and/or evenings?  Confessions before Mass used to be unheard
of; in this diocese they are considered to be a convenience for people
who cannot go at the regular time.  It is also possible and welcome for
people to call at the rectory to go to confession at a time convenient
to them.
 
In the "worst case scenario", let us suppose that confession before
Mass is the ONLY possibility.  Then one should try to be early so as to
be first in line.  If this is not possible, and if one has HONESTLY
tried to be in line, and if the confessor departs while there are
still people waiting, then it is permissible to make an act of perfect
contrition --- which forgives sin --- and to go to Holy Communion at
that Mass.  However, the obligation to confess all mortal sins --- even
those forgiven by perfect contrition --- still remains, and one should
go to confession then at the earliest possible opportunity.
 
This is a difficult message to write.  Before writing it, I consulted a
skilled moral theologian to be sure that my advice was sound.  I hope
that it helps.
 
I still defer to my fellow priest's advice: there is an obligation to
assist one's own parish financially.  If you have real difficulty with
this, I do suggest you have a serious talk with your pastor, explaining
your difficulty, but without anger or contempt.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
                                Father Mateo