Letter
from our Archbishop
on GENERAL ABSOLUTION
Dear Confrères :
On February 1, 2000, on the occasion of the Jubilee Year; I invited you to work at the renewal of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Following the example of the Holy Father; I asked the faithful to re-discover this Sacrament, in order that God might communicate, in a personal way to each and every one of them, His compassion and mercy. On that occasion I recalled the various Rites of Reconciliation which are recognized by the Church. I also indicated that in my estimation, the circumstances and conditions in our diocese justified recourse to the exceptional celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation with general absolution.1
Consequently I authorized the Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents with General Absolution, during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent, if and when the conditions established by the Church for the celebration of this form of the Sacrament warranted it.
The question of general absolution had been the subject of divided opinion and vigorous discussions, at the time of our Diocesan Synod. The decision to authorize its use was welcomed by some, and contested by others. Whereas certain parishes made use of this exceptional Rite, the vast majority of parishes did not see the need of resorting to this approach. In our diocese during Lent 2000, there seems to have been no generalized intent to implement the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, with general absolution. In fact, the Episcopal Vicars informed me that, in most of the regions, only a limited number of pastors deemed it opportune to offer such celebrations.
This fact, combined with the diversity of questions with which I was
faced, prompted me to revoke the authorization given for the celebration
of general absolution. The faculty given for the general absolution of
penitents during the limes of Advent and Lent is therefore revoked. It
is my understanding that before the beginning of Lent 2001, the Episcopal
Vicars had already made you aware of my intentions.
The purpose of this letter; is to officially inform you of this decision.
I know that this policy could be disappointing for a certain number of
pastors, and Christian communities. Nevertheless, I believe it is important
that we maintain solidarity with the Universal Church, and respect as
faithfully as possible, the norms issued on the matter.
The work already begun to help the faithful of our diocese to re-discover
the richness of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation must continue.
We must especially apply ourselves to the fact of highlighting the place
and the importance of the individual approach to the Sacrament of Penance,
which leads the baptized to experience the compassion and mercy of God
the Father : I ask each of you to pursue this fact, knowing that it is
particularly demanding in our present context.
I count on your understanding and pastoral collaboration. I am confident
that by being closely united in our Church, we will re-discover for ourselves
and for those around us, the joy of celebrating this marvellous God, whom
Christ has revealed to us : a God who gives us grace and forgiveness,
a God who gives us life, and gives it abundantly.
+ Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte
Archbishop of Montreal
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june
2, 2003