> So what would be the point of hearing a confession if you could not offer absolution? The actual confession is not a requirement to receive absolution. One r

> So what would be the point of hearing a confession if you could not offer absolution? The actual confession is not a requirement to receive absolution. One receives absolution during last rites as well without a confession. The sacrament of reconciliation can also be celebrated communally with absolution offered to all gathered with no confession. I said mother abbesses could hear confession, I never said they could confer absolution which is sacramental. I believe all religious communities, even male ones, confess to one another as the new testament command. Confession to others, not just a priest, is a good spiritual practice. > This is still the case I am of the opinion that the emphasis is such a material break from reality that the original teaching is not kept. From Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbess https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbess) Abbesses are, like abbots, major superiors according to canon law, the equivalents of abbots or bishops (the ordained male members of the church hierarchy who have, by right of their own office, executive jurisdiction over a building, diocesan territory, or a communal or non-communal group of persons—juridical entities under church law).