Natural family planning

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Keating’s group - Catholic Answers - operates with the permission and the blessing of his local diocese, as does the website. This would seem to make it approved by the Church, even though it isn’t run by the Church. But no matter - you can find the same answer from official Church sources, as evidenced by your earlier post.

In any case, I never claimed it was optional, I said it wasn’t the only method for Catholics to obtain absolution. And it isn’t.

Boru

Unless any of their articles have an imprimatur, nihil obstat (some probably do), then, no, it's not "official" Church teaching, and even then, the Bishop or his reviewer does not share in the ex cathedra Magisterium of the Church, which lies solely with the Pope, the Vicar of Christ, and those bishops who are in communion with him.  Point is that sacramental confession is never, ever something that Catholic can choose not to have; in this respect, it is the only form of absolution for a Catholic, unless "moral or physical impossibility" prevents that individual from receiving the Sacrament.

Bold mine and proves my point. I never said non-sacramental confession was an option or a choice, so I’m not sure why you keep grinding on that. I’ll try it more simply:

Q: How are my sins forgiven?

A: Via visiting a priest, confessing those sins, and receiving absolution.

Q: Is there any other way?

A: Yes - if you absolutely, positively cannot get to a confessional, you can ask God directly to forgive your sins. While priestly intercession is preferred, the Church recognizes that it is not possible in every case.

Boru

Edit: I also never said that Keating’s views were ‘official’ Church teaching (so it’d be great if you wouldn’t misquote me), but if his views are in lockstep with those teachings, what difference does it make?