[scan59]

No. My god is stronger than anything stupid I might do before I pass away. It reminds me of a scene in a movie where everyone was about to die and the priest was taking confessions from the rich and powerful first. The poor peasants were frightened that they would be damned to hell if they were not able to get their confessions in before the end. It supposedly didn't matter about their faith in Jesus; their eternal souls were up to the whims of a priest.

I saw the movie as a young man, and it made a lasting impression.

[AnAmericanMother]

Can't believe everything you see in the movies (but you as a freeper must know that).

That would never, ever happen unless the priest in question was a faithless shepherd. In cases of danger of death, the priest is authorized to give General Absolution to all present. No confession is necessary. Of course, once the danger of death is past, if you survive you're expected to make an auricular confession at the first opportunity.

One of the most powerful portrayals of General Absolution is in the splendid book by Giovanni Guareschi, "Comrade Don Camillo", in which a priest goes incognito to the Soviet Union. There is a terrible storm, and all on a ship are in danger of death, and Don Camillo breaks character to give General Absolution to all. Nobody says a word afterwards except the political officer . . . who like the political officer in "Das Boot" is shut up by the rest . . .

It was made into a movie starring the French actor Fernandel.