[AnAmericanMother]

Stand firm.

FWIW, coming as I do from the Episcopal Church, where general confession is the norm, I can tell you that it's just plain no good and worthless.

Occurring as it does in the middle of the Mass, there's no time for an examination of conscience, no time to think about one's individual sins, and no opportunity to form true contrition or a purpose of amendment.

So it's really a "feel-good" waste of time, that's all. (And you can tell your dissenting parish council members that, from me. I've told the occasional loon in our parish -- they are few and far between, and they mostly keep quiet for fear of Monsignor's wrath, which is pretty impressive. Guess they thought I would lend a sympathetic ear, being an ex-Piskie and all. Boy were they disabused of THAT notion! < g > )

[SaltyJoe]

"So it's really a "feel-good" waste of time, that's all"

Another detail often missed is that one who's received General Absolution (for example a soldier prior to a battle), must go to individual Confession upon surviving the grave situation to receive a proper Reconciliation.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Im4LifeandLiberty]

I'm an ex-Piskie and no fan of general absolution as well. "Piskie" is a great term, and kind of cute. I have long wondered what a good nickname for Episcopalians would be, and you have provided me with one. Thanks!

[marshmallow]

The really crucial aspect of individual confession (and the main reason so many people have a problem with it) which is completely by-passed by general absolution, is accusing yourself aloud in a detailed and specific manner in front of another human being. Paradoxically, it is precisely this aspect of confession which produces its greatest benefit.

It generates humility and self-awareness like nothing else when done properly. By this I mean a genuine examination of conscience and a full and truthful confession. It has a truly purifying and painful aspect to it which is entirely absent from the general absolution rite.

Any rogue can say "I'm a sinner" in the general sense. It's virtually meaningless. Very few people, however, can sit or kneel in front of another and specify precisely when, where and how they sinned and approximately how many times.

This from someone who has a long and sorry history of assaulting the ears of confessors with the most lurid sins.

[fortunecookie]

Thank you, quite an interesting perspective. I have a friend who left the Roman Catholic church for the Episcopal Church, claiming it was 'easier' and the people were 'friendlier' (I told her to join a club if she wanted new friends, that's what her particular church reminded me of).

So far, I have stood firm and 2 new members are also baffled by this push for general absolution. Our current pastor is opposed. Ironically, or not, 2 members who still push for it are educators in the Catholic school system, one of whom worked with me with kids making their First Reconciliation.

Occurring as it does in the middle of the Mass, there's no time for an examination of conscience, no time to think about one's individual sins, and no opportunity to form true contrition or a purpose of amendment.

I will point this out at the upcoming meeting. One of the dissenting priests had a 'special' prayer service outside of Mass to try to get around this, it had a huge turn out.

So it's really a "feel-good" waste of time, that's all.

BTTT! That really sums it up.

You are lucky to be in a parish where these issues and those who raise them are few and far between and you have the support of a Monsignor who runs a tight ship. My Bishop has quietly looked the other way, tacitly approving. He has been 'called to Rome' in the past to explain himself and to be told in person to stop. It quiets him for awhile...