Bishops Seek Pope's Guidance over Sex Abuse [Catholic Caucus]

Sky News ^ | February 25, 2017

[rmichaelj]

I was at a Mass in high school when everyone obtained a general absolution as the Priest made a public confession.

Unless the people at mass were in immediate danger of death, the priest was wrong to give general absolution. I'm assuming he didn't hear individual confessions before giving absolution. Also the way you worded the statement made it sound like the priest was confessing instead of the individuals at mass. This is an abuse which some priests are known for. Note that even when a general absolution is given in the correct circumstances (e.g. we are boarding life boats on the Titanic), the penitent if he survives is obligated to go to individual confession asap. Now this is different than some masses or lenten services where multiple priests will be available before and/or after mass to hear confessions. I agree this is laudible, and may help bring people back to the sacrament. Finally, if you did receive a general absolution when the priest shouldn't have, and one is honestly ignorant of the need to go to confession asap afterwards, the sacrament is still valid and the sins are forgiven. Now If you will forgive me as I get up on my soapbox, and this is bot directed at you personally. The church requires that everyone go to confession once a year. But realistically, the vast majority of us sinners need confession between once a week and once a month. That's not from me but a general guideline from most good priests. Ask your confessor how often if he is a good confessor. If he is a bad or lazy confessor- try to get another confessor. If you are stuck with only having access to a bad/lazy confessor, then pray hard and listen to God about how often you should go. If you don't know if you have a good confessor I will give one indicator I go by- if they only offer unscheduled confession one day a week for an hour or less I would be wary (assuming it is not an overstretched priest who is covering 4 different parishes). Of course if during confession they teach contrary to the faith then that is another obvious red flag (e.g. stating that viewing pornography or other violations of the sixth commandment is not a sin.)

[skr]

The criminal should be confessing to all appropriate people, including the police. Nothing in the Bible allows priests to cover up crimes.