Monsignor Charles Pope addresses the topic of general absolution. When is it appropriate, and how should penitents proceed? Monsignor Pope explains that it is rare for general absolution to be necessary. He writes: “General absolution should be offered only in the rarest
Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza,
The Queensland Parliament in Australia passed a new law that would put priests in jail for up to three years if they refuse to alert authorities to any cases of child abuse they might learn about while administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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.
The law was passed by Queensland Parliament Sept. 8. It had support from both
A reader asks Monsignor Pope, "Recently I heard a priest say that when our sins are forgiven, they are forgotten. On the other hand we believe that after death comes judgment. Which is it?" Monsignor replied, The sins by which we will
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.
That's according to Archdiocese of Philadelphia evangelization director Meghan Cokeley, who said that a lack of convenient
In this issue of Taking Note, Kathryn Jean Lopez writes about her long-awaited return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After going through a series of precautions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lopez was directed to a confessor who was unable to hear
People who cannot get to confession because of the coronavirus lockdown or another serious reason can go to God directly, be specific about their sins, request pardon and experience God's loving forgiveness, Pope Francis said. "This is the right time, the opportune
When public Masses in the Archdiocese of Washington were suspended in efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Father Scott Holmer, pastor at St. Edward the Confessor Parish in Bowie, Maryland, got creative about bringing the sacraments to his local community.
This week in Pastoral Answers, Monsignor Charles Pope answers the question: Did Jesus always know he was God, or did that understanding grow gradually in him? Monsignor Pope explains that, as God, Jesus has divine knowledge that is entirely comprehensive; he knows