Bishops Offer Standard for General Absolution

Roman Catholic bishops have decided that before a priest gives general absolution, one month should have elapsed in which no priest was available to hear individual confessions.

Church law says general absolution--extending forgiveness to a group without individual confession--should be allowed only when there is serious need, such as conditions preventing individual confession and absolution for “a long time.” Bishops debated at length in their June meeting how long “a long time” should be.

Results of a mailed ballot among bishops showed that 205 approved of a one-month rule and 72 opposed--more than the required two-thirds majority. The decision is subject to approval by the Vatican.