Importance of Physical Presence in the Sacrament of Penance

The chapter emphasizes the necessity of physical presence for the sacrament of penance, highlighting the significance of personal, live, joint, and physical conversations between a priest and a penitent for forgiveness to occur. It discusses the challenges of utilizing electronic means for confession and suggests creative solutions for priests during the pandemic, such as drive-through or outdoor confessions with proper cleaning. The chapter also explores scenarios where individuals cannot access a priest for confession, providing insight on seeking forgiveness through private prayers and acts of contrition.