Preaching Goes Viral

Pandemic and the Right to the Sacraments

Technological and organizational changes

Sacrament of confession, when COVID-adapted

The second scenario is when there is grave necessity—that is, when there are not enough confessors available to hear the confessions of the number of individuals, and thus persons will be deprived of the sacrament for a long while (The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has determined this to be one month.) The diocesan bishop determines if the conditions of a grave necessity are present, consistent with criteria of the USCCB (can. 961 §§1–2). The Apostolic Penitentiary believes that, especially in the places most affected by the pandemic and until the phenomenon recedes, the cases of serious need will occur. If a sudden need exists for collective absolution, the priest is obliged to warn the diocesan bishop. If the priest cannot, he should inform the bishop as soon as possible.

2022-12-16

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Marie T. Hilliard