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December 7, 2020

Cardinal upholds 'probable invalidity' of confession by phone

A priest hears confession inside the cathedral in Valencia, Spain, May 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview Dec. 5 with the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, said confession by phone is still most likely invalid.

VATICAN CITY - Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

Published in Faith
November 1, 2019

Pray for the dead, gain indulgences for them, cardinal urges Catholics

Pope Francis visits graves of children before celebrating Mass marking the feast of All Souls at Laurentino Cemetery in Rome Nov. 2, 2018.

VATICAN CITY -- The early November feasts of All Saints and All Souls are reminders that God's church exists both on earth and in heaven and that all the faithful, living and dead, can and should pray for each other, a top Vatican official wrote.

Published in Faith
August 14, 2016

Unlocking forgiveness: Vatican tribunal promotes pardon

Pope Francis meets with heads of departments of the Roman Curia at the Vatican May 18. The Apostolic Penitentiary is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia.

VATICAN CITY – The Apostolic Penitentiary has nothing to do with a jail cell and everything to do with ensuring repentant sinners experience God's mercy.

Published in Vatican
November 13, 2014

Seal of confession is absolute

Seal of confession is absolute

VATICAN CITY - The secrecy of a confession is maintained so seriously and completely by the Catholic Church that a priest would be excommunicated for revealing the contents of a confession when ordered to testify by a court or even after the penitent dies, Vatican officials said.

Published in Faith