It seems the Pope himself realized the need to address the issue of general confessions/absolutions, and the moving away from the personal aspect of confession. Miserocrdia Dei (ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE) is JPII's latest Apostolic Letter, and it addresses the abuses of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the general norms one should follow, as both priest and penitent.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_20020502_misericordia-dei_en.html

-- Brian (sacerdos@hotpop.com), May 02, 2002

Answers

-- (_@_._), May 03, 2002.