The Apostolic Penitentiary has published today the following notes concerning the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the current pandemic.
The seriousness of the current circumstances requires reflection on the urgency and centrality of the sacrament of Reconciliation, together with some necessary clarifications, both for the lay faithful and for the ministers called to celebrate the sacrament.
Even in the time of Covid-19, the sacrament of Reconciliation is administered in accordance with universal canon law and in accordance with the provisions of the Ordo Paenitentiae.
Individual confession represents the ordinary way of celebrating this sacrament (cf Canon 960, CIC), while collective absolution, without prior individual confession, cannot be imparted unless there is imminent danger of death, or enough time to listen to the confessions of individual penitents is lacking (cf Canon 961, § 1, CIC), or a serious need is manifested (cf Canon 961, § 1, °2, CIC), the consideration of which belongs to the diocesan bishop, taking account of the criteria agreed with the other members of the Episcopal Conference (cf Canon 455, § 2, CIC) and without prejudice to the need for valid acquittal of the votum sacraments by the individual penitent, that is, the intention to confess in due time the individual serious sins, which at the moment it was not possible to confess (cf Canon 962, § 1, CIC).
This Apostolic Penitentiary believes that, especially in places most affected by the pandemic contagion and until the phenomenon recurs, cases of grave need may recur as mentioned in the aforementioned Canon 961, § 2, CIC.
Any further specification is delegated by right to diocesan bishops, always taking into account the supreme good of the salvation of souls (cf Canon 1752, CIC).
If the sudden need arises to impart sacramental absolution to several faithful together, the priest is obliged to warn the diocesan bishop as far as possible, or, if he cannot, to inform him as soon as possible (cf. Ordo Paenitentiae, n. 32).
In the present pandemic emergency, it is therefore up to the diocesan bishop to indicate to priests and penitents the prudent attentions to be adopted in the individual celebration of sacramental reconciliation, such as the celebration in a ventilated place outside the confessional, the adoption of a convenient distance, the use of protective masks without prejudice to the absolute attention paid to safeguarding the sacramental seal and to the necessary discretion.
Furthermore, it is always up to the diocesan bishop to determine, in the territory of his ecclesiastical circumscription and in relation to the level of pandemic contagion, the cases of serious need in which it is permissible to impart collective absolution: for example at the entrance of hospital wards, where the hospitalized and the faithful infected in danger of death are located, using the means of amplification of the voice as far as possible and with appropriate precautions, so that absolution may be heard.
Consider the need and the opportunity to establish, where necessary, in agreement with the health authorities, groups of extraordinary hospital chaplains, also on a voluntary basis and in compliance with the rules of protection from contagion, to guarantee the necessary spiritual assistance to the sick and dying.
Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it is recalled that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God who is loved above all else, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (which the penitent is currently unable to express) and accompanied by the votum confessionis, i.e. the firm resolution to resort to sacramental confession as soon as possible, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal (cf CCC, n. 1452).
Never as in this time has the Church experienced the power of the communion of saints, raising vows and prayers to her Crucified and Risen Lord, in particular the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, celebrated daily by priests, even without people in attendance.
As a good mother, the Church implores the Lord for humanity to be freed from such a scourge, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy and Health of the Sick, and of her Spouse, Saint Joseph, under whose patronage the Church has always walked in the world.
May Mary Most Holy and Saint Joseph obtain abundant graces of reconciliation and salvation, attentively listening to the Word of the Lord, which is repeated today to all humanity: Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:11), I am with you always (Mt 28:20).
Given in Rome, from the seat of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 19 March 2020
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of the Universal Church
Mauro Card. Piacenza
Major Penitentiary
Krzysztof Nykiel
Regent
Notes issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary
concerning the Sacrament of Reconciliation
during the current pandemic
I am with you all days (Mt 28:20)
The seriousness of the current circumstances requires reflection on the urgency and centrality of the sacrament of Reconciliation, together with some necessary clarifications, both for the lay faithful and for the ministers called to celebrate the sacrament.
Even in the time of Covid-19, the sacrament of Reconciliation is administered in accordance with universal canon law and in accordance with the provisions of the Ordo Paenitentiae.
Individual confession represents the ordinary way of celebrating this sacrament (cf Canon 960, CIC), while collective absolution, without prior individual confession, cannot be imparted unless there is imminent danger of death, or enough time to listen to the confessions of individual penitents is lacking (cf Canon 961, § 1, CIC), or a serious need is manifested (cf Canon 961, § 1, °2, CIC), the consideration of which belongs to the diocesan bishop, taking account of the criteria agreed with the other members of the Episcopal Conference (cf Canon 455, § 2, CIC) and without prejudice to the need for valid acquittal of the votum sacraments by the individual penitent, that is, the intention to confess in due time the individual serious sins, which at the moment it was not possible to confess (cf Canon 962, § 1, CIC).
This Apostolic Penitentiary believes that, especially in places most affected by the pandemic contagion and until the phenomenon recurs, cases of grave need may recur as mentioned in the aforementioned Canon 961, § 2, CIC.
Any further specification is delegated by right to diocesan bishops, always taking into account the supreme good of the salvation of souls (cf Canon 1752, CIC).
If the sudden need arises to impart sacramental absolution to several faithful together, the priest is obliged to warn the diocesan bishop as far as possible, or, if he cannot, to inform him as soon as possible (cf. Ordo Paenitentiae, n. 32).
In the present pandemic emergency, it is therefore up to the diocesan bishop to indicate to priests and penitents the prudent attentions to be adopted in the individual celebration of sacramental reconciliation, such as the celebration in a ventilated place outside the confessional, the adoption of a convenient distance, the use of protective masks without prejudice to the absolute attention paid to safeguarding the sacramental seal and to the necessary discretion.
Furthermore, it is always up to the diocesan bishop to determine, in the territory of his ecclesiastical circumscription and in relation to the level of pandemic contagion, the cases of serious need in which it is permissible to impart collective absolution: for example at the entrance of hospital wards, where the hospitalized and the faithful infected in danger of death are located, using the means of amplification of the voice as far as possible and with appropriate precautions, so that absolution may be heard.
Consider the need and the opportunity to establish, where necessary, in agreement with the health authorities, groups of extraordinary hospital chaplains, also on a voluntary basis and in compliance with the rules of protection from contagion, to guarantee the necessary spiritual assistance to the sick and dying.
Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it is recalled that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God who is loved above all else, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (which the penitent is currently unable to express) and accompanied by the votum confessionis, i.e. the firm resolution to resort to sacramental confession as soon as possible, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal (cf CCC, n. 1452).
Never as in this time has the Church experienced the power of the communion of saints, raising vows and prayers to her Crucified and Risen Lord, in particular the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, celebrated daily by priests, even without people in attendance.
As a good mother, the Church implores the Lord for humanity to be freed from such a scourge, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy and Health of the Sick, and of her Spouse, Saint Joseph, under whose patronage the Church has always walked in the world.
May Mary Most Holy and Saint Joseph obtain abundant graces of reconciliation and salvation, attentively listening to the Word of the Lord, which is repeated today to all humanity: Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:11), I am with you always (Mt 28:20).
Given in Rome, from the seat of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 19 March 2020
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of the Universal Church
Mauro Card. Piacenza
Major Penitentiary
Krzysztof Nykiel
Regent
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