Q. How does general absolution work – is that a real thing?
A. General absolution is an extraordinary exercise of the mercy of the Church through the imparting of absolution in a general manner to a large number of penitents.
The history of general absolution is tied closely with warfare. Father William Corby, chaplain of the 88th New York Infantry Regiment, famously granted general absolution to Irish-Catholic soldiers during the Battle of Gettysburg. After the outbreak of World War II, the Apostolic See developed specific norms for the imparting of general absolution. These norms form the basis for the practice in the current law of the Church and can be applied in two specific situations.
The first is when “danger of death is imminent and there is insufficient time for the priest or priests to hear the confessions of the individual penitents” (c. 961 §1,1). There are two necessary elements in this scenario: death is imminent and there is not enough time for the priest to hear everyone’s confession.
When we say “danger of death is imminent” it means that there is a real and present threat to life. The classic hypothetical scenario is a plane that is going to crash. It is possible that all or some of the passengers may survive, but the imminent danger of death is present. This scenario also addresses the second necessary element, that is, there is not enough time for the hypothetical priest on board the plane to hear everyone’s individual confession, so the priest can impart absolution in a general manner for the sake of the salvation of souls.
The second specific situation when general absolution can be imparted is less clear cut: “There is grave necessity, that is, when in view of the number of penitents, there are not enough confessors available to hear the confessions of individuals properly within a suitable period of time in such a way that the penitents are forced to be deprived for a long while of sacramental grace or holy Communion through no fault of their own. Sufficient necessity is not considered to exist when confessors cannot be present due only to the large number of penitents such as can occur on some great feast or pilgrimage” (c. 961 §1,2).
In this scenario, envisioned to be used almost exclusively in mission territory, the number of penitents is such that a priest, due to circumstances beyond his control, cannot hear everyone’s individual confession because of the large number of penitents and some kind of time restriction. Those seeking absolution would not be able to receive it for “a long while,” a vague timeframe that is not defined by the law but is generally understood to mean, at a minimum, one month.
Only the diocesan bishop, in accord with the criteria established by the episcopal conference, can determine when the circumstances allow for the imparting of general absolution for the reasons given in the above situation.
What is not envisioned in this situation is simply imparting general absolution in the course of a normally scheduled parish service because it is more convenient, or people are more comfortable with that, or whatever other superfluous reason a pastor could give. This is a gross abuse of the law and, while it unfortunately continues to happen in some places, it absolutely should not.
This should not be confused with what are sometimes called “Communal Penances Services” in which large numbers of people gather at a parish to go to individual confession. These are perfectly allowable because they are simply intended as a way to facilitate the hearing of a larger number of people’s individual confessions.
Whenever general absolution is imparted, it is required “not only that the person is properly disposed but also at the same time intends to confess within a suitable period of time each grave sin which at the present time cannot be so confessed” and makes an Act of Contrition prior to the reception of the general absolution. (c. 962 §1, §2). If a person survives whatever had placed them in danger of death or later has the opportunity to go to individual confession, they must confess whatever mortal sins were absolved in the general absolution. This requirement reflects the extraordinary nature of absolution being imparted in a general way and reinforces the importance of individual confession.
This question was answered by Father Caleb La Rue, chancellor 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.
