Sierra Leone’s leading prelate laments decline of Sacrament of Penance
February 28, 2024
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CWN Editor's Note: The leading prelate in the West African nation of Sierra Leone said in a Lenten message that he is having “sleepless nights” because so few Catholics go to Confession.
“The confessionals are generally empty because very few of the faithful come for confession, often scheduled for an hour or so in our parishes,” said Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles of Freetown.
“Unfortunately, even as the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is dying in our diocese, quite often the lines for Holy Communion in our parishes and Catholic communities are getting longer, even though we have been repeatedly reminded that receiving the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ while conscious of having committed a grave sin amounts to self-condemnation,” he added.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Feb. 28, 2024 10:09 PM ET USA
Maybe an hour per week at an inconvenient time discourages some people from frequent Confession. I drive long distances to receive this sacrament from pre-Conciliar parishes for this very reason. Pre-Conciliar parishes offer the sacrament of Penance at least daily, often multiple times per day, just before every Mass. I cannot think of a more meritorious way of offering this sacrament than by offering it as frequently as Mass is being offered. How much good has been lost in the Conciliar Church!
