Confession

The Latest

null

Analysis: The Church in France must uphold the confessional seal

Oct 13, 2021

By Fr. Gerald Murray

The French bishops’ conference has seemingly tried to walk back the straightforward comments of the Bishop of Reims, who recently... Read more

Pope Francis addresses young people at Lokomotiva Stadium in Košice, Slovakia, Sept. 14, 2021.

Pope Francis to Slovakia’s young Catholics: Confession is the ‘sacrament of joy’

Sep 14, 2021

By CNA Staff

The pope spoke to around 25,000 young people in Košice, eastern Slovakia. Read more

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, addresses the July 28 online panel hosted by Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

Confession must be part of talks on worthiness to receive Communion, Nuncio says

Jul 28, 2021

By Matt Hadro

The sacrament of confession must be part of the U.S. bishops’ discussions on worthiness to receive Communion, the Apostolic Nuncio... Read more

"I Felt the Love of Jesus Pouring Out": Catholics Return to Confession

Jul 4, 2021

By Katie Yoder

Whether they’re returning to confession after the pandemic or after falling away from their faith, Catholics have “no reason for... Read more

Pope Francis hears confessions at St. John Lateran in Rome March 2, 2017.

Pope Francis: Going to confession is 'abandoning oneself to Love'

Mar 12, 2021

Pope Francis said Friday that going to confession is an act of “abandoning oneself to Love,” allowing the God of... Read more

Pope Francis goes to Confession during a penitential celebration at St. Peter's Basilica, March 28, 2014.

Pope Francis prays for a renewal of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Mar 3, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of March is for a renewed experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Read more

Queensland passes law requiring priests to break confessional seal

Sep 8, 2020

The legislature of the Australian state of Queensland on Tuesday passed a law requiring priests to violate the seal of... Read more

Holy See upholds confessional seal in response to Australian royal commission

Sep 6, 2020

The Australian bishops have provided the federal government with the Holy See’s observations on 12 recommendations of a 2017 report... Read more

CNA

Major Penitentiary: Mercy does not cease amid coronavirus

Apr 6, 2020

By CNA Staff

In an Easter letter to confessors on Saturday, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary wrote that while 'social distancing' is... Read more

Image of a confessional.

Can I confess? Or be anointed? Here’s what’s suspended -or not- in your diocese

Apr 1, 2020

Many bishops have now also taken steps to limit or suspend access to the sacraments due to the coronavirus. Here’s... Read more

Confessional.

Can't go to confession during coronavirus? Consider an 'act of perfect contrition'

Mar 27, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

What is an act of perfect contrition, and how does it work? A CNA Explainer.      Read more

Confession on Divine Mercy Sunday in St. Peter's Square, April 3, 2016.

Peruvian bishop rescinds permission for confession by phone

Mar 20, 2020

A Peruvian bishop has rescinded permission for priests of his diocese to hear confessions by telephone, just five days after... Read more

Pope Francis prays in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta March 16, 2020.

'Return home' through the sacrament of confession, Pope Francis urges

Mar 20, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis spoke Friday about the importance of returning to God, the loving Father, in the sacrament of reconciliation.  Read more

Fr. David Burgard participates in "Priests in the Park."

Confession by phone, Skype, or emoji? Could it happen during coronavirus pandemic?

Mar 18, 2020

By Ed Condon, JD Flynn

As much of the world faces quarantines, social distancing, and “shelter in place” orders amid the coronavirus pandemic, Catholics have... Read more

Fr. Douglas Dietrich prepares to hear confessions at his office window, at St. Mary's Parish in Lincoln, Neb.

‘Bless me, Father - but from 6 feet away!’ Coronavirus and confession

Mar 18, 2020

By Mary Farrow

Demand for confessions at St. Mary’s in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, has always been high: it’s a centrally-located church with convenient,... Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass in Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis' morning Mass livestreamed this week

Mar 9, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ daily morning Mass, offered in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where he lives, is... Read more

Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Defense.

UK Defense minister apologizes for chaplains ‘outing’ gay servicemen

Jan 14, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

U.K. Minister of Defense Johnny Mercer has issued an apology to lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers who were reportedly outed... Read more

Vatican official highlights confession on All Saints, All Souls Day

Oct 31, 2019

It is fitting for Catholics to go to confession on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and to pray... Read more

Pope Francis hears confessions at St. John Lateran in Rome March 2, 2017.

Pope Francis: God forgets our sins after confession

Sep 15, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Sunday that God forgets sins absolved within the confessional.  Read more

Confessional.

'Freedom to forgive' - How one man abused by a priest found healing

Aug 1, 2019

By Ed Condon

After decades, how one victim of clerical sexual abuse found healing, through forgiveness.  Read more