With reference to the letter ‘ Church should opt for general absolution during the pandemic' by Robert Castellino (TGE March 25), I would like to mention the views expressed by our Holy Father Pope Francis while addressing a group of devout Catholics who expressed concern about their inability to fulfil their Easter duties of confessing their sins to a priest because of the pandemic. “If you are unable to find a priest to confess your sins, then do what the Catechism says: Speak to God. He is your Father. Ask for pardon and forgiveness. Tell him the truth and confess your sins with an act of contrition. Promise him that you will confess your sins later, but ask for pardon now. You will return to God’s grace immediately”. The question of general absolution therefore does not arise in such cases of repentant sinners who are unable to confess to a priest due to the pandemic.
