Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people’s ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with Covid-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
In an interview Dec. 5 with the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, the cardinal was asked whether a phone or other electronic means of communication could be used for confession.
“We can confirm the probable invalidity of the absolution imparted through such means,” he said.
“In fact, the real presence of the penitent is lacking, and there is no real conveyance of the words of absolution; there are only electric vibrations that reproduce the human word,” he said….
The above comes from a Dec. 7 story in Crux.
So then take microphones and speakers out of churches, because those too are only “electric vibrations that reproduce the human word.”
The issue is not being in person. As the article notes, “‘In fact, the real presence of the penitent is lacking, and there is no real conveyance of the words of absolution; there are only electric vibrations that reproduce the human word.'” Note: there are ONLY electric vibrations, no person. Sacraments are personal and interpersonal.
It might be somewhat analogous to a “spiritual Communion” while praying along with a Mass via the internet or television.
It’s just not the same and not a Sacrament.
And, of course, we should all repent of our sins to God even while intending to get to Confession as soon as possible.
I agree that we all need to go to Confession. My question is, what about all the Protestants that never go to Confession but ask for forgiveness, are their sins forgiven? 2nd question: Do only Catholics have to go Confession in order to be forgiven. Seriously.
Our Protestant brothers and sisters do not share the fullness of the faith. Yet, it’s reasonable that God will hear their sincere repentance and forgive them. God will judge them, and us, justly. They lack the fullness of the means of grace. On the other hand, Catholic and Orthodox Christians know that Christ gave us the seven sacraments and we are to avail ourselves of them (as appropriate). Regarding sin, I think we need to be more concerned about ourselves than our Protestant brothers and sisters. Let’s invite them to join us and then we can all get in line for Confession (outdoors, six feet apart, in masks, however our Catholic governor allows OR go clandestinely, as saints have done throughout the ages).
I am concerned about my Protestant brothers and sisters, as my biological brothers and sisters are Protestant, no longer Catholic!
What about all the people who never go to church and don’t believe? If everyone goes to heaven anyway, what’s the point of being Catholic?
Who said everyone goes to Heaven?
Who said everyone goes to Heaven? Not the Bible. Not the catechism. Not the magisterium.
There is no teaching of the Church that everyone goes to Heaven…If a soul is in Heaven (or in a state of purgition), in other words, “saved”, it is by Jesus Christ alone. The ordinary means by which Jesus intends for us to be saved is by the Sacraments of his Church. We’re bound by them, He isn’t. If protestants (most of whom have a couple of Sacraments) are saved, it’s because Christ saved them. Not very satisfying for Catholics that have been dismissed and abused by protestants, but we should dread far more the day we will see our lives as God sees our lives than how Protestants see our lives. They’ll have their own problems to deal with that day.