Q. Due to the pandemic, we have not attended church or gone to confession since March. I am aware of the dispensation for attending Mass at this time. I miss attending Mass but watch online each week. I missed confession at Easter and now it does not appear to be safe to go for Christmas either. Is the dispensation allowed for confession also?
A. Although it is highly recommended for one’s spiritual growth, actually there is no obligation to go to confession annually, unless one is aware of any unconfessed mortal sins. One is obliged to confess any grave sins annually.
There is an annual obligation to receive the Eucharist during the paschal seasons (Lent or Easter), often called the Easter Duty, but for a just cause (such as age, infirmity, or a pandemic) it can be fulfilled any time of the year.
If you have reason to believe that going to Mass or confession at the normal time or location is unsafe, please, please simply call your priest and schedule a time to receive both confession and the Eucharist.
Whenever one is unable to go to confession, and any time one is aware of having committed a serious sin, one should make an act of ‘perfect contrition’ as defined by the Catechism, which always includes an intention to go to confession afterward. “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’—contrition of charity. Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1452)
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
