Category Archives: GO TO CONFESSION

ASK FATHER: Penalties for Violation of the Seal. Wherein Fr. Z and a fictional SSPX priest explain the situation.

In the combox I was asked… QUAERITUR: Doesnt revealing the content and identity of a penitent incur grave penalties? I respond thusly. First, for a person – and priests are people, too – to incur a censure, he has to … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Cardinal says confession and absolution over the phone is okay

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I was shocked, as I heard, that the local bishop allowed phone confession and absolution over phone because of COVID-19.  A priest from my community says the Cardinal of says that he may use phone to … Read More

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The Church’s highest confessor, Card. Piacenza, says that, in this time of COVID-19, there must not be “ecclesial distancing”

At Vatican News I read that His Eminence Mauro Card. Piacenza – the Penitenziere Maggiore or the head of the Church’s highest tribunal that covers matters of the Sacrament of Penance, all internal forum issues, and indulgences has something to … Read More

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Fomites of Viruses, Fomites of Sins, and YOU

Today on a TV news channel I heard a doctor talking about the ways that virus can spread.  He used a term “fomites” (pronounced “foe-mights”).  I immediately knew what it was about, but I looked it up: “any inanimate object … Read More

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Note from the Apostolic Penitentiary on the Confessions, the Sacrament of Penance in the COVID-19 pandemic

This is from the Penitenzieria Apostolica, the tribunal of the Holy See which is concerned with matters of the internal forum and the granting of indulgences. First, this is a NOTE.  It doesn’t change anything, but it clarifies. It repeats … Read More

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In time of Coronovirus a priest foolishly suggests confession by phone. FAIL!

UPDATE 28 March 2020: The CDW instructed the USCCB that mobile phones should not be used to amplify vocal exchanges between confessor and penitent, when the penitent is at least a little distant from, but still with, the priest.  CNA … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: I might be contagious. Would it be a sin to go to confession to an elderly priest?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Given that the priests at the chapel where I typically confess are all rather elderly and at high risk should they become infected, would it potentially be morally problematic to go to confession and put them … Read More

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ASK FATHER: What about confession if the virus gets really bad and we are all locked down?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I just read that Italy is taking the measure of locking down the entire country, 60 million people, until 3 April.  I don’t know if this is irrational panic or not.  Let’s say that it is.  … Read More

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PRIESTS! BISHOPS! ACTION ITEM! Ideas, some novel, some not so novel, for increasing CONFESSIONS

Have I ever urged you … GO CONFESSION! Yes, I believe I have. I have also urged priests and bishops to preach, teach, admonish, in season and out, about the Sacrament of Penance and to hear confessions.  Get into the … Read More

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VIDEO contrasts participants in March for Life and Women’s March

LifeSite posted this fascinating, predictable, video.   But an image is worth a thousand words. Listening to the view of the other side in this video is like witnessing the autopsy of long dead cadaver in really bad shape. You can … Read More

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras, GO TO CONFESSION, Liberals, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged
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