To help decide whether or not to go to confession in this time of crisis, some bishops' conferences have offered advice to both confessors and penitents.
1.- CONFESSION IN VENTILATED AREAS
If the priest is sick and doesn't know it, he could put the community he serves at risk. That's why bishops recommend that both the priest and the person seeking confession wear masks. They also suggest looking for open spaces or large, ventilated rooms that help respect security distances.
2.- FOR SEVERE RESTRICTIONS: WAIT
If restrictions are severe and there is no physical nor moral possibility for confession, one can apply point 1452 of the Catechism. It includes a clause allowing for the forgiveness of all sins. Making an act of contrition, with the sincere intention of going to confession as soon as possible, would suffice. The pope explains this point.
POPE FRANCIS
If you don't find a priest to hear your confession, speak to God. He's your Father. Tell Him the truth. 'Lord, I did this and this and this. Forgive me.' Ask His forgiveness with all your heart, with an act of contrition, and promise Him, 'Afterward I will go to confession, but forgive me now.' You will return to God's grace immediately.
3.- ARE CONFESSIONS VIA TELEPHONE, CHAT OR VIDEOCALL ALLOWED?
During emergencies like the current one, the question of the validity of online confession may come up. Fr. Gianandrea Didonna explains why this practice is not permissible.
FR. GIANANDREA DIDONNA
Professor of Liturgical Studies
“We know that information on electronic devices is stored on servers. Imagine that an official authority gives an order—which he has the right to do—to extract a recording of a confession.”
He explains that technological mediums don't guarantee total privacy. He also says the seal of confession is to be treated with the utmost seriousness.
FR. GIANANDREA DIDONNA
Professor of Liturgical Studies
“You know that a priest, when he hears confessions, receives the seal from God. Usually we call it a secret, but a secret is a commitment I make to not say anything. Nevertheless, the seal comes from God, who puts it on my lips. I cannot reveal the content of a confession, even if it costs me my life.”
In general terms, the primary recommendation is to follow the instructions of civil authorities to limit transit as much as possible, even if it means having to make the sacrifice of waiting to go to confession.
Javier Romero
Translation: Claudia Torres
