Prisoners - Communion without Confession ?

laurak - Member

Does anyone on this site know if a prisoner who is in mortal sin, may recieve communion by a Eucharistic Minister, if a priest is not available to hear his or her confession, for extended periods of time? Does a prisoner have to go without the sacraments indefinately?

I am new to prison ministry at a juvenille correctional facility and this is a problem, due to the increased workload the local priests have. Even when prisoners requests confession, sometimes they have to wait up to a year, until they are released.

Also, does anyone know if there is some type of service that could be conducted by lay persons when a priest is not available for mass? The Protestants have church services every week at the facility I volunteer at and we seem to have no options.

Thank you in advance for any advice or assistance you can provide us!

Thank you in advance, for any assistance you can provide us.

Posted 1 year ago #

fishman - Member

Catholics can have a communion service and baring the absents of a deacon this can be performed by a layperson.( you'd have to check , but I don't think homilies are allowed only reading of the gospel ... possibly a reflection on the gospel but I'm not sure what the difference is.)

I do not think a person can take communion ( if they are in mortal sin) without confession ... there might be some kind of exception if the person is dieing that I'm not aware of , but other then that I think the person needs to wait. Part of the point is that the waiting itself helps to serve as a kind of penance. Of coarse the first rule is love, but keep in mind that as a eucharistic minister , if you are disrepectful to the eucharist you are probably commiting a moral sin yourself.

Posted 1 year ago #

laurak - Member

Thank you. This clarifies my thinking on this.

Posted 1 year ago #

Michael ODonovan - Inactive

I'm sorry but I don't agree with Laurak, and this is important for your prisoners. I once had to find it out for myself in a situation in which I found myself. What the Church says is that if you are in mortal sin you can make a perfect act of contrition with the intention of making a full Confession as soon as you can, but if there is some circumstance that makes it impossible for you to do it, then in the meantime you can receive Holy Communion. Your prisoners are not only free but welcome to receive the Eucharist if the intend in their hearts to go to Confession, and make a full Confession, as soon as they can.

Posted 1 year ago #

noelfitz - Member

Hi Laurak

Congratulations on your wonderful prison apostolate.

I am not a theologian (obviously) but could I suggest that one might say an act of contrition and then receive communion, leaving the state of one's soul to the mercy of God?

A prisoner may not have been in the state of mortal sin, who knows but God. Also, as I learned in school over 50 years ago, if one makes an act of perfect contrition one's sins are forgiven.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God (2 Cor 1:3,4, NRSV).

Thus I am in essential agreement with Michael O'Donovan.

God bless,

NoelFitz.
_________________________________________________
In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
_________________________________________________

Posted 1 year ago #

lpioch - Moderator

Also, if the prisoner has formally requested confession as soon as possible (even if it will take a year because of the "system"), that shows intent to confess. (essentially, a contrite heart as NoelF puts it)

Posted 1 year ago #

bhokuto - Member

this is an interesting dilema. Great place to build Faith. Real trial.

I've heard this:

for baptism a true conversion is where one has tears and see's God where water is lacking.

When God comes and performs a miracle in soul He has forgiven them.

When Christian receives Holy Communion and doesn't die or get sick God has blessed them.

Posted 1 year ago #

JosephMary - Moderator

Ave Maria!

Lay people should not have to garner opinions from others on this serious matter! No priest should be so overloaded with whatever else in the world he might be doing that comes before his sacramental responsibilities to souls.

Find a holy priest to care for them and to advise you, please.

Posted 1 year ago #

noelfitz - Member

JosephMary

thank you for your post.

Unfortunately I do not know what you mean.

Would you like to explain what you are getting at?

God bless,

NoelFitz.
_________________________________________________
In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
_________________________________________________

Posted 1 year ago #

laurak - Member

I would like to thank everyone for your responses. We called the pastor from the parish closest to this facility, and requested that he visit and hear confessions. He agreed to but has not confirmed a date, yet. The local priests seem reluctant to make a commitment to visit the boys & girls for the sacraments, on a regular basis though.

I am new to this ministry. There is only 3-4 catechists/mentors who visit the girls. And 1 catechist/mentor who visits the boys. The ladies are very good with the girls and truly bring the presence of Christ to them. There just isn't a program in place, and the ministry is not organized. Our state just had it's first Catholic prison ministry organizational meeting about a month ago. They are attempting to address some of these issues, such as organization and support.

There is such a need for this ministry. It is more rewarding than I could have possibly imagined. I have already come to love the girls. As Catholics we do such a good job with the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the homeless. I wish more people were called to visit the children in centers like this. They are so grateful for our presence there.

Posted 1 year ago #

noelfitz - Member

Laurak

Yours us a great apostolate.

Keep it up.

Your presence is encouraging even if you do not always discuss spiritual things.

you write:

As Catholics we do such a good job with the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the homeless.

I wonder is this universally true. If so it is a disgrace.

However all each individual can do is his/her own little bit.

God bless,

NoelFitz.
_________________________________________________
In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
_________________________________________________

Posted 1 year ago #

bhokuto - Member

I'm in straits over you comment NF:

As Catholics we do such a good job with the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the homeless.

I wonder is this universally true. If so it is a disgrace.

What do you mean by this last part?

Posted 1 year ago #

noelfitz - Member

Bhokuto

Sorry!

I got it completely wrong.

I misread the post. I thought it said:

As Catholics we do not do such a good job with the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the homeless.

God bless,

NoelFitz.
_________________________________________________
In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
_________________________________________________

Posted 1 year ago #

bhokuto - Member

Not a problem NF I just wanted to make sure you made a typo or misread. probably both.

God bless brother. Love God always.

Posted 1 year ago #

Make CE Your Homepage

Catholic Exchange Forums » Faith and Life

Prisoners - Communion without Confession ?

Reply

Donate

CE Spotlight

Faith Factory

Radio & Podcasts