(The post below was written many years ago, but it addresses an issue which unfortunately is still with us, particularly before Christmas. That’s why it seems feasible to post it again. Have a happy and holy Christmas!)
Q: Last year, I visited my relatives at Christmas time, and we all went to their parish to a communal penance service before Christmas. There were probably almost a hundred people there, and only one priest. He didn’t hear each person’s confession, as we expected. Instead, he stood near the altar, said some prayers, and blessed all of us. Then he told us we were absolved of our sins, and that was it. Was that priest wrong to do what he did? Did God really forgive us our sins? –Robert Continue reading