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            [In taluni ambienti cattolici è radicata la tesi secondo cui l'azione pastorale non tollererebbe leggi ne strutture istituzionali, lesive, per l'astrattezza e la generalità della dogmatica giuridica, di quel principio personalistico che così peculiarmente, connota l'insegnamento del Concilio Vaticano II.

           What are the serious arguments in favor of holy communion in the hand? I say 'serious', because at times one hears arguments which can scarcely be termed serious; for example, the argument that this way of communicating is more in accordance with the adult Christianity which is supposed to characterize our having 'come-of-age'. Adult Christianity? Christians come of age?...: these may be useful catch-phrases. But I have yet to come across any theology-based explanation of what they are supposed to mean. In particular I have yet to see anyone successfully attempt the task of squaring them with our Lord's insistence on his followers becoming like children.

[A conference given at Tigoni Study Centre, Limuru, Kenya, in 1983.]

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            A perplexing pastoral problem, for many priests throughout the world, is that of general absolutions.

            [A priest in the confessional is like a continuous call from God to sinners. His presence there preaches the availability of God's mercy.]

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            Is Penance on the decline? Well, it seems undeniable that the frequentation of the Sacrament of Penance is on the decline almost everywhere. The facts speak for themselves: deserted confessionals, reduced hours for hearing confessions, priests saying people do not come for Confession, people saying that priests are not available for Confessions...