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In addition to the world "pandemic", everyone seems to be obsessed with not hurting anyone's "feelings". Now everyone's become an expert at naming flu's - Kung-Flu, Wu-Ping Cough, Fu Manchu Fever, Xi Jinplague, Lung Pao Sicken, Batbola, Gooking Cough, and Wuhan Wheeze - I'm with Trump on this one, Chinese Virus (it came from China).
With hospitals overwhelmed and short of beds, equipment, and supplies, the cathylick church is evidently overwhelmed with shortages of priests to hear "last" confessions to ensure that the dying don't go to Hell. Now we have the Go to Heaven for Free pass - no wafers, no beads, no malarkey or mumbo-jumbo Latin.
Enquiring minds would like to know that if this is possible why doesn't the pope just issue the absolution order once and for all and dispense with the Vatican's massive, costly and corrupt bureaucracy? Couldn't the "Apostolic Penitentiary Tribunal" be doing more useful things with their lives?
With hospitals overwhelmed and short of beds, equipment, and supplies, the cathylick church is evidently overwhelmed with shortages of priests to hear "last" confessions to ensure that the dying don't go to Hell. Now we have the Go to Heaven for Free pass - no wafers, no beads, no malarkey or mumbo-jumbo Latin.
Enquiring minds would like to know that if this is possible why doesn't the pope just issue the absolution order once and for all and dispense with the Vatican's massive, costly and corrupt bureaucracy? Couldn't the "Apostolic Penitentiary Tribunal" be doing more useful things with their lives?
Catholic Church Approves Blanket Forgiveness For Sins During Outbreak
March 22, 2020
The Vatican has announced that it has granted blanket forgiveness for sins by anyone struck with the coronavirus as well as healthcare workers and those who pray for healthcare workers. Relatives of the sick are also forgiven. I must admit that, as a lawyer raised Catholic, I am surprised by the use of general absolution on this scale. I am also struck by the specificity, including that those who want to take advantage of the option for those who pray must also pray, doing so “for at least half an hour.”
General absolution is not unprecedented. It can be used where there is a widespread catastrophe or danger with no time for a priest to administer confessions. It is also considered warranted when the numbers of those affected are so large as to exceed the capabilities of the Church.
The penitent must still be contrite and agree to seek confession at the soonest possible time.
This order was issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican tribunal that deals with matters of conscience, including confession. It decided that the “grave necessity” of the situation justified the action.
As a lawyer, this seems like quite a potential loophole for the licentious in times of crisis. However, the devil divinity is in the details. The matter is left to local bishops to determine the necessity for general absolution while “taking into account the supreme good of the salvation of souls.”
The use of general absolution has been controversial in countries like Australia where it was commonly invoked.
The tribunal gives specific instructions for absolution in places like “the entrance to hospital wards where faithful in danger of death are hospitalized, using — within the limits of what is possible and with appropriate precautions — means for amplifying the voice so that the absolution is heard.”
March 22, 2020
The Vatican has announced that it has granted blanket forgiveness for sins by anyone struck with the coronavirus as well as healthcare workers and those who pray for healthcare workers. Relatives of the sick are also forgiven. I must admit that, as a lawyer raised Catholic, I am surprised by the use of general absolution on this scale. I am also struck by the specificity, including that those who want to take advantage of the option for those who pray must also pray, doing so “for at least half an hour.”
General absolution is not unprecedented. It can be used where there is a widespread catastrophe or danger with no time for a priest to administer confessions. It is also considered warranted when the numbers of those affected are so large as to exceed the capabilities of the Church.
The penitent must still be contrite and agree to seek confession at the soonest possible time.
This order was issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican tribunal that deals with matters of conscience, including confession. It decided that the “grave necessity” of the situation justified the action.
As a lawyer, this seems like quite a potential loophole for the licentious in times of crisis. However, the devil divinity is in the details. The matter is left to local bishops to determine the necessity for general absolution while “taking into account the supreme good of the salvation of souls.”
The use of general absolution has been controversial in countries like Australia where it was commonly invoked.
The tribunal gives specific instructions for absolution in places like “the entrance to hospital wards where faithful in danger of death are hospitalized, using — within the limits of what is possible and with appropriate precautions — means for amplifying the voice so that the absolution is heard.”
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