Lent - A Season of Reconciliation

Next Wednesday begins the season of Lent, and we are called to penance and reflection on our lives with the reminder that "we are dust and to dust we shall return." The Church calls us not only to prayer and fasting during this season, but also to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation. Through this sacrament, we can renew our relationship with the Lord by confessing our brokenness as we allow Christ to offer us absolution through the priest who stands in His place through the mystery of the Holy Spirit. 

In some states, including Missouri, bills have been filed that would require priests to reveal things learned in the sacrament as a means of preventing child abuse. These bills (HB 1812 and HB 2136), while perhaps well-intentioned, would undermine the confidentiality so necessary to the sacrament and infringe upon religious liberty. In 2019, when such a bill was stopped in California, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles issued the following statement explaining why such legislation would be harmful. During this season of Lent, take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation and give thanks to God for the freedom to do so.