Monday, February 19, 2007

Bishop Hollis: no general absolution; no communion to non-Catholics

Local expressions of support would be nice, (c/o the Diocesan Communications Officer: dco@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk). Hat-tip to the Hermeneutic of Continuity, where there is more commentary.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Father Finnegan, God bless him, has been misled. It is true there is no General Absolution but in my parish ST Joseph`s, Basingstoke, what we have is a procession to the altar in which the penitent goes as if for Holy Communion and says, "I am sorry for my sins" The preist then gives them absolution, there is no confession of sin involved. I wrote to the Bishop and Rome about two years ago but received no reply from Rome, and Bishop Hollis stated that this was broadly with Church Guidelines. Do not ever trust Bishop Hollis. On Communion for non-catholics although this is not done in parishes yet, there is a president being set in Winchester where once a year there is a Mass which Catholics share with Anglicans. They all go to Communion.

Catholic Action UK said...

Thanks very much. Fr Finnigan's information wasn't that Bishop Hollis had stamped these abuses out; only that he had expressed opposition to them in a letter to his clergy. And that, as they say, is a step in the right direction.

Your letters to Rome may have had more effect than you know, Mr Kearney! Hollis may be feeling the pressure to do something, even if it is not very effectual.

Although 'ad clerum' letters are not public documents, the existence of this one should strengthen the hand of good Catholics who, like yourself, complain about these abuses.

Penitants who recieve General Absolution without the intention of going to ordinary confession as soon as practical are NOT being validly absolved. Non-Catholics admitted to Communion are being encouraged to engage in sacrilege. This is not 'pastoral'!

Pope Leo XIII's Prayer to St Michael

Holy Michael, Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust down to Hell Satan, and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen