By Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – MALAWI)
INTRODUCTION
“Fr. Petros, with Covid-19 pandemic, can a Catholic confess his/her sin(s) to a priest by WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, Instagram, Viber, E-mail, SMS or Calling?” Please help – Miriam (DMI University – MALAWI)
RESPONSE
Dear Miriam, guilt from the sins we commit can make us feel all mixed up inside and cause us to lose our peace and joy. When we hear God’s forgiving words to us from the lips of the priest in Confession, a burden is lifted off our shoulders and we can again feel the peace of heart and soul that comes from being in a good relationship with God. This is only realized in a personal interaction with a priest.
DESCRIPTIVE DEFINITION
Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH
In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, you cannot confess your sin(s) by the captioned means. For the Sacrament of Confession to be valid, it is necessary that you confess your sin(s) to a priest in person. The following Catholic references support this teaching:
A) ORDO PAENITENTIAE # 31
“Individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church, unless physical or moral impossibility excuses from this kind of confession.” There are profound reasons for this (See the sacred scriptures below).
B) SACRED SCRIPTURES and THE CATECHISM
Christ is at work in each of the sacraments. He personally addresses every sinner: “My son, your sins are forgiven” – (Mk 2:5). He is the physician tending each one of the sick who need him to cure them – Mk 2:17). He raises them up and reintegrates them into fraternal communion, at times by a touch, holding them by hand even embracing them. Personal confession is thus the form most expressive of reconciliation with God and with the Church. (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1484)
CONCLUSION
Just as you cannot receive any Sacrament: holy Communion, Confirmation, Baptism, Anointing of the sick, etc., by WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, Instagram, Viber, E-mail, SMS or Calling; so you cannot go to confession over the phone, IPad or computer, and not just because someone might be listening in (hacking), but because a sacrament is to be given and received personally.
Receive my Priestly Blessings from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish (Mzuzu Diocese – Mpherembe)
Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale – Feedback: +265884150185 (WhatsApp only)
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Sources
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Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. Washington DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000
Coriden, James A., Thomas J. Green. And Donald E. Heintschel. The Code of Canon Law: A text and Commentary. New York: Paulist Press, 1985.
Pope Paul VI., Ordo Paenitentiae (Rite of Penance), Edition Tyipica, Vatican: 2 December 1973, no.31
Catholic Doctrines 