Covid-19: Manila Archdiocese bans
online confessions
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| Oblate priests bless a man at the doorstep of his home in Metro Manila |
The Archdiocese of Manila in the Philippines announces a
decision not to allow the Sacrament of Reconciliation to be held through
digital means or by telephone.
By Devin Watkins
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the Apostolic Administrator of
Manila, has ruled out “online confessions” in the Archdiocese.
He said the decision was taken to “protect the secrecy and
sincerity of confession” and because the sacrament requires a personal dialogue
between the priest and the penitent.
But, said Bishop Pabillo, teleconferencing apps and the
telephone can be used to offer spiritual counsel or blessings.
Perfect contrition
Priests are encouraged to use these media to help guide a
person through an act of perfect contrition.
He said perfect contrition occurs when a person “expresses
faith in and love of God above all things and resolves to make a sacramental
Confession as soon as possible. All his/her sins, even mortal sins, are
forgiven.”
“An act of perfect contrition always has been a part of our
Catholic tradition,” said Bishop Pabillo. “God is always present to us, even
when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not possible.”
Protocol for religious services
The Archdiocese of Manila on Wednesday released a protocol for religious services, including confessions.
The guidelines were issued to help parishes prepare for the
time when public Masses and ceremonies will be allowed.
Social-distancing measures adopted by the government to stem
the spread of Covid-19 have put a halt to nearly all religious services.
Confession options
The Archdiocese’s protocol requires that both priests and
penitents wear facemasks.
They also foresee that the small confessional boxes often
used in parishes will need to be “reconfigured” to allow social-distancing. If
this proves impossible, the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be held outside the
confessional box, maintaining a distance of one meter between the penitent and
the confessor.
Parishes in Manila Archdiocese will also be able to organize
group confessions if the need is too great. These consist of a penitential
service and general absolution.
All the protocol measures require Catholics to observe
proper social-distancing guidelines.
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