Pandemic and the Right to the Sacraments

Item

Title

Pandemic and the Right to the Sacraments

Description

the confessional, the adoption of a suitable distance, the use of protective masks, without prejudice to absolute attention to the safeguarding of the sacramental seal and the necessary discretion.”2 But what about vulnerable individuals who are unable to travel: those in hospitals, hospices, or nursing homes without a Catholic chaplain? Creative alternatives are proposed. In cases of grave necessity, the diocesan bishop may determine that it is lawful to impart general absolution, as described by the Apostolic Penitentiary, “for example, at the entrance to hospital wards, where the infected faithful in danger of death are hospitalised, using as far as possible and with the appropriate precautions the means of amplifying the voice so that absolution may be heard.”3 One priest indicated that his local bishop has approved his use of a bull horn outside of a nursing home to impart general absolution. Perhaps with the permission of the diocesan bishop, this could even be followed by the Apostolic pardon.

Subject

Sacrament of confession, when COVID-adapted

has community

The National Catholic Bioethics Center

Spatial Coverage

Philadelphia, Pennslyvania

has denomination

Roman Catholic

Date Submitted

11/12/2020 14:39

Is Part Of