Confession
The Latest
Federal court blocks Washington law that would force priests to violate seal of confession
In the ruling, District Judge David Estudillo said there was “no question” that the law burdened the free exercise of... Read more
Confraternity of Catholic Clergy defends inviolable seal of confession
The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, representing over 500 Catholic priests and deacons, has issued a statement defending the inviolability of... Read more
Justice Department sues Washington state over law forcing priests to break confession seal
The DOJ in a press release announcing the lawsuit filed on June 23 said the Washington law “violates the free... Read more
‘This is life-changing’: Missionaries of Mercy gather in Rome for Jubilee of Hope
“Being a Missionary of Mercy has given my life so much focus,” said Father Augustine Deji Dada of the Archdiocese... Read more
Montana bill could require priests to break seal of confession
The proposed bill would “eliminate clergy exemption in mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.” Read more
No, ‘AI Jesus’ isn’t actually hearing confessions: fact check
Numerous news reports have said that a new artificially intelligent “Jesus” has begun taking people’s confessions at a Catholic church... Read more
Privacy in the confessional: Is your smartphone listening to your sins?
Could it be true that your phone is “listening” to your private conversations — including in the confessional? Read more
Reconciliation on the rise? Catholics coming back to confession, poll suggests
In some corners of the country, the statistics were a welcome sign that the Church’s efforts are working. Read more
How to obtain a plenary indulgence during the 2025 Jubilee
The decree provides Catholics with the opportunity to gain indulgences by making pilgrimages, prayerfully visiting churches, or practicing works of... Read more
Catholic priest pepper-sprayed during confessions at Texas cathedral
The parish said in a statement that “someone dealing with mental health issues” sprayed rector Father Tony Neusch with the... Read more
Pope Francis: The heart of repentance is God’s ‘infinite love,’ ‘boundless mercy’
“Repentance is neither the fruit of self-analysis, nor of a psychic sense of guilt,” the pope said. Read more
‘Your confessional is ready’: Buzzing into confession at a Denver Catholic high school
Students at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver don’t wait in line for confession. Instead, they pick up a buzzer... Read more
Hearing the pope’s confession: Vatican confessor reflects on sacrament
A veteran Vatican confessor spoke about his time as confessor to Pope Francis, stressing the enduring and essential role of... Read more
Catholics can receive a plenary indulgence by praying before a Nativity scene
From Dec. 8 until Feb. 2, Catholics will be able to receive a plenary indulgence by praying before a Nativity... Read more
Thieves repent, sacramentally confess, and return stolen objects to chapel in Spain
A week after desecrating and robbing a chapel in the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante in Spain, the thieves have confessed and... Read more
How to bring peace to the world? Start with sacramental confession, cardinal says
We can take hope in the reconciliation, mercy, and peace of Christ in confession, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza said in a... Read more
Young man after confession with the pope: ‘I told him the sins that pain me the most’
The 21-year-old Spaniard told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, the details of what he considers “the confession of my... Read more
Pope Francis hears young people’s confessions in Lisbon
Pope Francis on Friday heard the confessions of three young people in the Jardim Vasco da Gama, renamed Reconciliation Park... Read more
Pope Francis hears confessions at Roman parish: God lifts us up when we hit ‘rock bottom’
In the presence of eucharistic adoration, the pope presided over a Lenten penitential service on March 17 to open “24... Read more
Diocese of Phoenix hits the streets to evangelize during Super Bowl LVII week
Volunteers are setting up outside the arena to hand out sacramentals like rosaries and miraculous medals, in addition to informational... Read more
