The following may help us through the present crisis, especially if we are anxious about not being able to have access to the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) at this time:
The inability to respond to a person’s request to access the Sacrament of Reconciliation goes very much against all our instincts as priests and our desire to bring the Lord’s mercy to those who seek it. We cannot though, in this period of quarantine as well as the restrictions on travel and gathering together, provide a responsible and safe access to this Sacrament. For the safety of the penitent and ourselves at this time, the normal circumstances under which we can offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the faithful are almost entirely absent.
Recently, the Holy Father said something in a homily which may help someone who is unable to go to confession at this time:
“I know that many of you go to confession before Easter... Many will say to me: ‘But Father...I can’t leave the house and I want to make my peace with the Lord...How can I do that unless I find a priest’? ...Do what the catechism says. It’s very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately.”
Our Catechism also address perfect contrition:
“When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ - contrition of charity. Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.”
Requests for individual confession are almost impossible to meet within the restrictions we are obliged to follow for the safety of penitents at this time. For this reason, it is deemed both reasonable and pastorally responsible for a priest to refuse a request for individual confession in these exceptional times. This will not be an easy thing for us to do. In these circumstances we must do all we can to explain to the penitent what the Church says they can and should do.
Therefore, the Bishops of England and Wales have asked that all who desire to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation should be encouraged and helped to make a Perfect Act of Contrition at this time.