This past March 2020 the Vatican issued a decree (found here) regarding the Sacrament of Reconciliation during these times of duress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decree does not remove the need to at some point perform an in person Confession to a Catholic priest in order to receive Reconciliation nor does it grant one to forgive their own sins (something other Protestant denominations believe, but the Catholic Church does not). Both these items have been a point of confusion among some of the faithful, but let us be clear– Reconciliation under Catholic belief can only be done in person by a Catholic priest in good standing with the Church.
Given that, you may wonder then what does this decree say? What the Vatican is describing has long been a tradition of the Church and accordance with both Scripture and the Church Magisterium’s teaching on the Sacrament of Reconciliation since the Church’s very founding by Christ and his successors, the Apostles (whose successors ultimately are our Bishops of the Church today). That teaching is this:
If one finds themselves in a situation where they cannot confess to a priest due to illness, war, or great tragedy (or other similar events beyond ones control where peril is possible from doing such a Confession) one can make an Act of Contrition on their own, confess their sins before God, and then say at least three prayers in hope of seeking Christ’s grace and forgiveness. It is recommend one also recite the Nicene Creed to reaffirm one’s belief in the Church and Christ. Finally, you must make a promise to take confess to a priest as soon as possible through a normal Sacrament of Reconciliation. Only then can your sins truly and surely fully be forgiven as you have actually fulfilled the Sacrament. The particular paragraph of note explaining all this is:
Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God, beloved above all things, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express) and accompanied by votum confessionis, that is, by the firm resolution to have recourse, as soon as possible, to sacramental confession, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones (cf. CCC, no. 1452).
If one was to die or if one is gravely ill, the Vatican also issued a seperate decree that talks about the recent decree by Pope Francis called the “Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the granting of special Indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic” (found here). This decree walks through what someone who normally would receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick should do if they cannot do so. Again, the same formula applies that if one does an Act of Contrition and makes at least three prayers they are allotted a Plenary Indulgence or forgiving of temporal and mortal sins with a full Confession. In lieu of a full Confession one can make the Act of Contrition with plans to confess in full to a priest if they are able to live that long. If not, the Church places its faith in Christ to deal accordingly with the individual and petitions for their forgiveness. In addition the Pope offers the Indulgence to those serving the sick (first responders, emergency workers, medical professionals, volunteers, etc…) during the pandemic. Again Confession must ultimately be made. These particular items are address here:
The Plenary Indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion, or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfil the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father’s intentions), as soon as possible.
Health care workers, family members and all those who, following the example of the Good Samaritan, exposing themselves to the risk of contagion, care for the sick of Coronavirus according to the words of the divine Redeemer: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15: 13), will obtain the same gift of the Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions.
This Apostolic Penitentiary also willingly grants a Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions on the occasion of the current world epidemic, also to those faithful who offer a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or reading the Holy Scriptures for at least half an hour, or the recitation of the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross, or the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself.
The Church prays for those who find themselves unable to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and of the Viaticum, entrusting each and every one to divine Mercy by virtue of the communion of saints and granting the faithful a Plenary Indulgence on the point of death, provided that they are duly disposed and have recited a few prayers during their lifetime (in this case the Church makes up for the three usual conditions required). For the attainment of this indulgence the use of the crucifix or the cross is recommended (cf. Enchiridion indulgentiarum, no.12).
Our “Confession Refresher 101” article can walk you through how the Sacrament of Reconciliation works if you need a quick crash course to remind you about it. It can be found here. Save this information for when you can see a priest to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation properly administered and contact your local Parish office to find out when Confessions are being held. Most priests are still doing private confessions by appointment. These confessions are either done in open air environments or in private areas that allow considerable separation between the priest and the petitioner so as to maintain social distancing standards. In the event you do find yourself without the ability to see a priest, make the Act of Contrition now in a personal manner; but understand it cannot be fulfilled completely unless you do speak with a priest. Therefore when the pandemic ends make that one of your “first things to do” when it is safe to do so and you are able to. Also note, that at this time telephone confession is not authorized. All confessions must still be done in person. There are cases of extreme duress that have allowed the saying of Last Rights (what is now called the Anointing of the Sick) by telephone. Though not the preferred way to carry out this Sacrament because of the importance of the timeliness of the Sacrament it has been allowed in certain cases by certain Dioceses. You would have to consult with your Pastor/Priest if there is a question or concern about this as there is no blanket answer at this time.
In the event something unforeseen happens to you though, it is still better to have some promise of further grace and full forgiveness from that grace even if it is not absolute because as Jesus Christ told us: But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) If the unforeseen is to happen and you truly intended to seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation then Christ will know your intentions and judge you according to what your heart had honestly promised to do. It must be a honest promise though and one you truly intend to fulfill and not a “what if… maybe… probably not” promise. God knows these things. He knows all things so let us not try to fool God or else we just end up fooling ourselves. In honest truth though, this is something powerful we should all consider as long as we truly do in our heart intend to seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation from a Catholic priest as soon as we are able to do such.
As always, if you have question please reach out to your local Pastor/Priest or Deacon. They are always your first point of contact for guidance in the Catholic faith and will gladly guide you further on how to properly fulfill our obligations a a Catholic in regards to these Sacraments as well as anything else you may wish to discuss.
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