No, this is not some exaggerated or click-bait title. Ireland is literally banning the Sacrament of Confession in the country under the pretext of Covid regulations.
It's not that there are rules surrounding how it must be conducted. No. It is just outright banned. Obviously for Catholics, they must disregard this law completely. Going to jail or risking a fine pales in comparison to having an unforgiven mortal sin on ones soul.
This is astounding and shocking.
Details can be found in an article here.
For those arguing this is only about Covid, the article points out that it will remain legal for a priest to have a "chat" with a parishioner. Can anyone tell me how a "chat" can be conducted which would exclude the possibility of a confession? No one can.
Again, this is all irrelevant. Faithful Catholics will find a way to seek out confession. Priests must make themselves available in a covert way. There are various possibilities. I mean for one thing, they could just rename confession as "a chat" for any public official or police officer.
This is beyond ridiculous. The Church is under attack and singled out like never before.
Pray for this situation and remain strong.
Right on! I'm glad Ireland is doing what it can to help slow the spread of this horrible virus. The Catholics there recognize that we all need to make sacrifices to help care for all humans. If someone spreads COVID through close contact in a confessional, this is not responsible and not being a compassionate Catholic. I'll bet they can do a virtual confessional, and I'm sure God doesn't care whether you're sitting next to a computer screen instead of a curtain.
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