As much as I disagreed with Archbishop Wuerl’s decision not to take positive action against scandalously pro-abortion Catholic politicians living in Washington, DC, I do have to applaud others of his recent actions, including his first pastoral letter on Confession, including a huge push to make the sacrament more available during Lent. (Link goes to Amy Welborn’s blog.)
In order to highlight both the importance of the sacrament of Penance and its availability especially in the coming Lenten season, every pastor is asked to review the parish confession schedule to ensure the adequate availability of the sacrament of Penance to the faithful. I am also asking the deans to work with the priests of their respective deaneries so that we can provide a series of deanery-wide reconciliation services to which the faithful of the deanery will be invited and at which I will join a large number of our priests in hearing confessions.
In addition, during this Lenten season, beginning with the Wednesday of the first week of Lent until the Wednesday of Holy Week, priests will be available in every church throughout the Archdiocese from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in order to hear confessions.
Wow, that’s big. Every church, every night? To place that kind of burden on the priests of the archdiocese is to make a big statement. The second bit of news (link to Mark Shea’s blog) is more speculative and unconfirmed, but if true might make an even bigger splash. This is from an email to Mark from someone in DC:
I was sick and so, missed mass but my wife reported that Monsignor Parent (St. Peter’s Waldorf, MD) announced that the Bishop has decided that all tabernacles be moved to the center of the altar and that communion will henceforth be given out only by priests and deacons.
As you can see, this is a third-hand report (now fourth-hand) and much could have been garbled in transmission, but again, if true, this is big news.
Update: A reader says in the comments that no one he knows in DC heard anything like that in their parishes and so this must be limited to just the one parish. And keep in mind, I’m not criticizing the legitimate use of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, but many people believe that the practice is often abused.
Technorati Tags:archdiocese, bishops, Catholic, Communion, confession, Eucharist, Washington, Wuerl
I wouldn’t spread the second one around. I spoke with a seminarian for the archdiocese and he hadn’t heard anything about it. The archdiocese’s website says nothing about it. None of my friends in the area heard anything about it at their masses. My guess is it’s a one-parish-only change.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, in the age of the neighbourhood it was appropriate that Saturday morning’s were given over to Confession as it fitted in with the weekly rhythm of family life, and was in preparation for Sunday Mass.
But for quite some time now in this 24/7 world in which we live this no longer seems to hold true, as we are more and more committed to a diverse range of leisure time interests. So it’s a blessed relief to see the Church catch up with it’s people (at last), and for a bishop to advocate the availability of Confession on weekday evening’s when we are more likely to be (a) more recollected and (b) available.
Let’s hope other dioceses do likewise.
What Joe said. It’s unconscionable that the Church expects parents to wrestle their kids away from other commitments for Confession. The current schedule at too many parishes (3:30-4 on Sat PM) only works for those who are getting Sunday out of the way on Saturday afternoon—and most of them don’t bother. And I’m NOT a sports-first parent. We have missed many a little kids’ basketball game because of Sunday Mass, including playoff games. We are now fighting this battle with another sport. But confession can and ought to be available at other times, whether it is weeknights or early mornings (before school/work). I know the schedule always says “or by appointment” but people I know (and even my husband) feel like they’re imposing on the priest if they ask for an appointment. Yet what a difference regular Confession makes in my life! I’d be willing to chalk up the post-VII craziness to the drop in Confession by Catholics…
I didn’t read that as “every night” in Lent. Sounds to me like every Wednesday night in Lent.
It would seem out of character for Wuerl to issue such a sweeping directive as moving tabernacles, especially given the length of time and expense some parishes would have to incur to fulfill it (and no, it’s not as easy as it sounds), not to mention the near-impossilibility of enforcing it.
Let alone by a guy who doesn’t seem to have the belly for a confrontation. So far.
In our parish we are blessed – our priest is always available for 30 minutes before and after every mass to hear confessions. on the Tabernacle issue I agree it seems a bit early for such a ‘confrontation’ but our bishop has been working away at it steadily for 4 years now and the result has been that out of 21 parish churches 3 always had it centrally in the sanctuary, 4 have had it moved back, 2 are having it moved back now. The tide has most definitely turned.
“impossilibility???” DId I just say that? I meant “impossibility.” Geeeez!
It would seem out of character for Wuerl to issue such a sweeping directive as moving tabernacles, especially given the length of time and expense some parishes would have to incur to fulfill it (and no, it’s not as easy as it sounds), not to mention the near-impossilibility of enforcing it.
You’d be surprised – during McCarrick’s time as our archbishop, he mandated that the congregation kneel during the consecration in all parishes. I know first-hand that this took effect in at least 2 parishes, and I don’t know of anywhere where the congregation does not kneel.
In addition, several parishes DID move their tabernacles to the center around that time, and it appears that Wuerl is continuing to encourage this.
I am very happy to hear about the increase in availability of confession. Saturday from 3:30-4:30 is not the most convenient time for me, and I rarely have a chance to get to the shrine or monastery for a confession at other times of the week.
The Archbishop’s document on confession asks that the sacrament be made available every Wednesday of Lent, not every day.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist,
There is no such thing. You are thinking of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion—very different. Please see Redemptionis Sacramentum 154ff.
Gee, thanks.
If you’d seen how long I sat there trying to remember what the new correct term is, you’d understand. I can never remember the difference.
Basically the difference is one of priesthood and the sacerdotal power that is appropriate to the priesthood. A ‘Minister of the Eucharist’ is the only person who can confect the Eucharist (ie a priest or bishop – see CIC 900).
An ‘Ordinary minister of Holy Communion’ is a bishop, priest or deacon (see CIC 910.1)
An ‘Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion’ is someone deputed to administer Holy Communion in very restricted circumstances – honoured more in the breech (see CIC 910.2 and 230.3).
The essential difference is beteen ‘Holy Eucharist’ as a Sacrament and ‘Holy Communion’.
“You’d be surprised – during McCarrick’s time as our archbishop, he mandated that the congregation kneel during the consecration in all parishes.”
What would surprise me, is anyone who could prove that moving a tabernacle in every situation is no more involved than telling the faithful to kneel. Most people are not bolted to the floor, unless you know something I don’t.