GENERAL ABSOLUTION?

If a priest has ever claimed the authority to give you general absolution in a situation that did not involve you being in imminent danger of death, I truly regret to inform you that it was invalid. 1/6

Priests do not have the authority to do that. It was not a sacrament and did not bring with it the grace of forgiveness. (Even in valid situations, you are still supposed to confess your sins to a priest as soon as possible.) 2/6

I do not say this to vilify my brother priests. Their choice to offer something like this is made out of a pastoral desire to be merciful. I understand that. I know that confession can be scary or uncomfortable. 3/6

But general absolution—outside of very clear and strict criteria described by canon law—is really a useless gesture that does not bring with it the sacramental forgiveness of sins. 4/6

Even if the priest who did it is very holy, and you respect him a great deal, I sadly must assure you, it did not and could not bring about real forgiveness from sins. 5/6

It doesn’t mean you should love and respect him any less, but it does mean that you should get to confession as soon as you can.

And when you do, I promise you only mercy and peace await you. 6/6

PS: And if there are any people who want to troll this thread with anti-Catholic nonsense, please spare us. We know you don’t believe confession is necessary.