Category Archives: GO TO CONFESSION

ASK FATHER: All who enter a church must sign a visitors book, include name, contact details

From a reader… QUAERITUR: In my home diocese (in Australia) our Bishop has decreed that all people who enter a church must sign into a visitor’s book and include their name, contact details and the time of entry and departure. … Read More

Posted in Canon Law, GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS | Tagged
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Another vain attempt to impose Novus Ordo lockstep unity on the faithful: Archdiocese of Seattle

It is at least ill-advised to attempt the same thing again and again and again with unvarying poor results, and yet keep on the poorly chosen course. Yet another discouraging example of episcopal over-reach, in the interest in trying to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants, You must be joking! | Tagged , , , ,
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New layers of stupid emerge during COVID-1984: violation of anonymity of penitents seeking Confession

COVID-1984 Melodrammavirus is bringing out new layers of stupid, hitherto theorized, but not yet experienced. On Fakebook I saw: Really? Now I read this at Stream: I Went to Confession. Was Asked to Give My Name for Contact Tracing. I … Read More

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ASK FATHER: What should I do if I hear a priest break the Seal of Confession?

From a reader in the combox under another post.  HERE QUAERITUR: What is the proper procedure for a person to whom the Seal is broken? For example, folks who happen to hear those two Libville homilies? The “Libville homilies” were … Read More

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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

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
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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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