sacrament of reconciliation

In focus: Pope headed to Mongolia, water rule challenged, immigration bill raises religious liberty concerns

In a world where “there is no shortage of hotbeds of hatred and revenge,” Pope Francis told priests and seminarians that “we confessors must multiply the ‘hotbeds of mercy,'” by making it easy for people to access the sacrament of reconciliation.

The sacrament of confession and the ancient practice of indulgences are closely linked, the cardinal said, and they both are signs and builders of communion.

Msgr. Krzysztof Nykiel, regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, gives a rundown of the most common “good” reasons people give for not going to confession, followed by a faith-based response to each objection.

My son “understood by instinct that reconciliation was rooted in God’s love and care, so his first encounter with confession was free from anxiety or fear.”

Church and government leaders in France are at odds over whether priests should be required to report the abuse of minors if they learn about it in the sacrament of confession.

Forgiveness frees people to be their true selves, with the residue of past guilt no longer holding them fast.

Perhaps we need to all grow in our understanding of the sacrament of reconciliation.