SISTERS TODAY - TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMANIN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME - October 1972 Volume 44 Number 2

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Jiven

Sisters Today October 1972 (Volume 44, Number 2) examines the role of the religious woman in the Church in contemporary life, presenting interviews, poems, and theological discussions. A central feature includes an interview with Patrick Regan, O.S.B., addressing the sacrament of penance and reactions to a June 16, 1972 decree clarifying penance and general absolution. The document contrasts communal ecclesial principles emphasized by Vatican II with developments concerning individual versus general absolution, including the conditions outlined in paragraph II.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time2 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMAN IN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME

Confession—Communal and Individual

Reaction to Decree on Penance

ZL6asc120SLS SISTERS TODAY # TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMANIN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME OCTOBER 1972 VOLUME 44 NUMBER 2 Confession—Communal and Individual 55An Interview with Patrick Regan,O.S.B. Poems 69,83,104 Understanding Legislation for Religious 70Paul M.Boyle,C.P. Christian Soul-Food 84John Carmody Second Thoughts on Small Group Living 88Sister Judith Tate Faith in Bifocus:Personal and Communal 95Paul J.Weber,S.J. Bulletin Board 105 Announcements 109 Book Reviews 111 Published monthly except July and September by monks of Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota.Editor:Father Daniel Durken,O.S.B.Associate Editorand Book Review Editor:Father Roger Kasprick,O.S.B.Cover_Design:SisterMary Charles McGough,O.S.B.,College of Saint Scholastica,Duluth,Minne-sota.Indexed in the Catholic Periodical Index. Address all correspondence to Sisters Today,Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota,56321.(Checks payable to Sisters Today.)All manuscripts shouldbe accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and postage. 1 year $4.00;2 years $7,00;single copy 50 cents.Foreign subscriptions(out-side U.S.A.):1 year $4.50;2 years $8.00.All subscriptions are payable inUnited States currency or check or International Money Order.Please allowsix weeks to two months for the filling of a subscription. Printed by Sentinel Publishing Company,Hiway 10 South,Sauk Rapids,Minnesota.(Do not send mail to this address.)Second Class postage paid atSaint Cloud,Minnesota. Confession --Communal and Individual AN INTERVIEW WITH PATRICK REGAN,O.S.B. Editor:This interview on various aspects of the sacrament of penanceis with Father Patrick Regan,O.S.B.,a monk of St.Joseph Abbey inSt.Benedict,Louisiana.What are your credentials,Father,as far as thistopic of confession is concerned? Fr.Regan:I did my doctoral thesis at the Institut Catholique in Parison the pentitential formularies of the Roman Sacramentaries.Thisbrought me into contact with much of the historical development andthe theological significance of the liturgy of penance from about thethird through the ninth century.Furthermore,I taught a graduate coursethis summer here at St.John's University on the topic of penance andreconciliation. # REACTION TO DECREE ON PENANCE Editor:On June 16,1972,the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine ofthe Faith issued a decree on the clarification of penance,particularly inregard to general absolution.Without going into an extended commen-tary on this document,I'd like to ask what your reaction is to this docu-ment on penance. Fr.Regan:My first reaction was one of disappointment as well as abit of anger,mostly because of the circumstances out of which thedocument was issued.Ten years ago the Second Vatican Council em-phasized the ecclesial dimension of every liturgical celebration.Since theliturgy is the saving act of Christ in the Church,it follows that all ritesshould have a communal and public character.In keeping with thisgeneral principle,the Council Fathers stipulated that the sacrament ofpenance should be reformed precisely in order to bring out these com-munal,ecclesial characteristics of the sacrament.As yet nothing hasbeen forthcoming although all of the other sacraments as well as theDivine Office and the calendar have been substantially revised.But asyet,absolutely nothing has been said about penance. In the meantime,various developments have taken place in responseto urgent,pastoral needs.Apparently these developments are disturbingto a number of bishops,and at the request of these bishops the SacredCongregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,in the document which youreferred to,simply reprobated these postconciliar developments and in-sisted that the decrees of the Council of Trent be strictly observed.So the Holy See still has not responded to the desires of the bishops ofVatican II to reform the sacrament.Instead,it has yielded to the pressureof a number of bishops and reiterated the teachings of Trent.This

FAQs

What decree is discussed in the interview, and what does it clarify?

The interview discusses a June 16, 1972 decree that clarifies penance, particularly regarding general absolution.

How does Father Patrick Regan relate the issue of penance to Vatican II?

He argues that Vatican II emphasized the communal and public ecclesial dimension of liturgical celebrations, so he is disappointed that penance reforms do not follow the intended direction.

What conditions does paragraph II describe for collective sacramental absolution?

It states that apart from danger of death, collective absolution is lawful when there is serious necessity, such as not having enough confessors to hear confessions within an appropriate time so penitents would be deprived of sacramental grace or Holy Communion.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Jiven