The documents adopted at the bishops' plenary assembly in Lourdes and presented on Sunday are based on the recommendations of the independent abuse investigation commission CIASE.
Another paper aims to strengthen priests in their ministry.
The bishops also announced that further financial resources would be made available for the fund to support those affected by abuse.
The guidelines for confession set out the framework conditions for administering the sacrament of penance.
Confessions may not be heard in the private rooms of priests. Confessions outside of churches, confessionals and special confession rooms are only permitted in exceptional cases, for example during pilgrimages or for the sick. Confession sessions must always take place during the day.
During confession, the priest must wear clerical clothing, at least a stole. Confessions in particularly emotional situations should be avoided.
Ongoing training
The guidelines place particular emphasis on the training of confessors. Before granting permission to confess, bishops must train their priests appropriately and check whether they are suitable for this ministry.
It is noted in the priest's licence whether a priest is permitted to hear confessions. Even after permission has been granted, regular further training on the theological, psychological and legal aspects of confession is required.
The bishops emphasise the importance of the seal of confession to confessors. This is absolute and its violation is subject to severe penalties under canon law. If a priest learns of suspected criminal offences in the course of a confession, he may not report them himself or disclose them to others.
However, he should urge the confessor to draw his own conclusions and, if necessary, as an act of reparation, order him to report the offence to the church or civil authorities.
However, refusing absolution is not permitted.
A new charter for spiritual counselling is to serve as a reference framework for both spiritual counsellors and believers who allow themselves to be spiritually accompanied in this way. It lists the duties of the spiritual counsellor.
Among other things, they must clarify expectations and make the person being accompanied aware of their rights. Counselling sessions must be treated in strict confidence. If a spiritual counsellor becomes aware of acts of abuse, they must work towards ensuring that the person reports themselves.
If necessary, the spiritual counsellor must also report offences in accordance with the legal requirements.