The Catholic Message Board

During the Holy Week, the number of penitents becomes too high, and even after a long time there's still a long queue. In such a situation, may the priest give a general absolution?

No.

'Can. 961 §1 General absolution, without prior individual confession, cannot be given to a number of penitents together, unless:

1° danger of death threatens and there is not time for the priest or priests to hear the confessions of the individual penitents;

2° there exists a grave necessity, that is, given the number of penitents, there are not enough confessors available properly to hear the individual confessions within an appropriate time, so that without fault of their own the penitents are deprived of the sacramental grace or of holy communion for a lengthy period of time. A sufficient necessity is not, however, considered to exist when confessors cannot be available merely because of a great gathering of penitents, such as can occur on some major feastday or pilgrimage.

I seem to remember you asked the general absolution question before, but in a different context. It is never permitted except in cases of likely death and even then have to go to confession at the nearest opportunity if they survive,

Not just danger of death; it's also permitted when people, without fault of their own, would be unable to approach confession or communion for an extended period. This might be the case, for example, in places where a priest only comes a few times a year and really can't hear everyone's confession in the time available.

I think it was me that raised this issue a while back in the context of the Australian Synod including it as one to be discussed by the Synod on synodality. I remember mentioning that about 15 to 10 years back, the Priest from our home parish offered the 3rd rite before Easter for several years. He did let us know that it wasn't entirely approved of but that he would offer it until the Bishop stopped him which after a number of years, he did.

The thing is that it was very well attended. We always went as a family. I myself have no problems with 1st rite having been brought up on it but I know lots of people who do and I can understand that. I do wonder if the topic will come up during the next round of the Synod. I personally hope so.

I think I linked to this article at the time.

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/fr-fl ... ciliation/

As I mentioned the last time, the Synod can't change this. The sacramental form of confession includes the integral confession of the penitent unless that's morally impossible. That's not something that the Church can change.