Question
Question
Is it OK at our communal penance services to limit the confessions to one sin per person, to save time?
--Limiting in London
Answer
Answer
The December 1998 United States National Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Liturgy Newsletter deals with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They answer "no" to this question. In recent years the practice has grown whereby, in consideration of large number of penitents, each penitent is asked to approach a priest and confess only one sin. Such a practice does not allow for an integral confession as required by the Rite of Penance. In order for a valid confession to take place, a full and integral confession must be provided for in every instance.