Called to the Confessional

I read with interest your article on Cardinal Francis George's work with his clergy on General Absolution ("Cardinal George Grapples With General Absolution,” Aug. 29-Sept. 1). I too can feel the pinch of time with my parishioners. Things seem to whittle away at my days and, before I know it, the day has passed me by.

However, I, along with my brothers, were ordained to offer the sacraments. If anything or anyone should come in the way of that on a consistent basis there ought to be a re-prioritizing. That is not to say that other clerical activities in the parish are not of value, but nothing reaches the true calling of a priest as that of offering one of our seven treasures.

I trust we are properly training our newly ordained priests to focus on the sacraments. It is true that we do have a vocations shortage. However, the way to increase vocations is not to limit that which separates us priests from every other mortal on this earth—that of offering the sacraments. We priests must be all the more willing to offer these gifts.

We will change the world one soul at a time. And isn't that how Christ would have us administer the sacrament of confession?

FATHER DANIEL LEARY

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne attends a German Synodal Way assembly on March 9, 2023.

Four German Bishops Resist Push to Install Permanent ‘Synodal Council’

Given the Vatican’s repeated interventions against the German process, the bishops said they would instead look to the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Meanwhile, on Monday, German diocesan bishops approved the statutes for a synodal committee; and there are reports that the synodal committee will meet again in June.

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis