Nadzwyczajna forma sprawowania sakramentu pokuty i okoliczności jej celebracji
Extraordinary form of sacrament of penance and circumstances of its celebration

Summary/Abstract: In the last century the Church enabled priests to grant collective absolution mainly due to warfare. After the Second Vatican Council previously issued norms were collected and adapted to current needs. In the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 in canons 961-963 there are binding norms regarding general absolution. The legislator limits the application of collective absolution to two main circumstances, namely the danger of death and the case of serious necessity. In the event of the danger of death the Church law allows for absolution after a prudent assessment of the situation by a confessor. On the other hand, the determination of the case of seriousness is on the side of the diocesan Bishop, who is to base his assessment of the situation on the criteria agreed with the other members of the Episcopal conference. The general absolution standards are to be interpreted strictly.

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