Am I Missing Something?

[CatholicServant]

The problem is that the amount of time available is often very short. Most parishes only allow one hour, once per week for confession. If everyone took 20 minutes, that’s only 5 people who can give a confession in a week. If someone wants to really go over every detail and pour their hearts out to the priest, they should make an appointment so that there is no concern over the line waiting behind them.

Exactly! I wouldn’t mind waiting for long confessions as long as I was able to confess - my issue is the long confessions when those of us waiting get turned away because of the time limits. It is only considerate that if you know you have a long confession to make an appointment with the Priest - our weekly confession time limits are posted in the bulletin.

 

[aspirant]

I’m glad someone mentioned this. Sometimes when a confession goes long, the priest is the one prolonging it, not the penitent. Case in point… When I began, I had no intention of being in confession for 25 minutes. When I finally left the reconciliation room, I apologized to everyone still waiting even though it was not my fault. Confessions were scheduled to continue for another 45 minutes so I hope they were all able to go.

Yes, sometimes it is priests who make confessions longer.

The problem is that the amount of time available is often very short. Most parishes only allow one hour, once per week for confession. If everyone took 20 minutes, that’s only 5 people who can give a confession in a week.

Exactly! I wouldn’t mind waiting for long confessions as long as I was able to confess - my issue is the long confessions when those of us waiting get turned away because of the time limits.

This is why I think that if priests discover they are regularly turning away penitents, they need to make an effort to schedule more confession times. Sometimes there’s good reason for a penitent to go long. Sometimes there’s good reason for a confessor to go long. Sometimes there is good reason to strictly limit the time that confessions will be heard (e.g. no more than an hour at a time). But if penitents are regularly being turned away by these practices, more confession times should be scheduled.

 

[Brigid34]

I also do an examination of conscience before (when I wake in the morning). I used to take a copy of my Act of Contrition with me until I saw that there was one already posted on the wall of the confessional. Anyway it probably takes me 25-45 seconds to get through my “list” - I take a copy of my list with me too. My confession usually takes a minute or two depending on what the priest wants to say.

 

[CatholicServant]

Penitents (any) can usually make confession by appointment, and there is the option of going to another parish if you miss at your regular parish. Not that I don’t understand this reasoning, but I think it should be up to the pastor to offer direction not parishioners.

Something else not considered here is what if the penitent came in expecting a very short confession, but the Christ acting through the priest decided this penitent required more direction than anyone thought at first. Then what was expected to be a short confession could suddenly become very long (as you describe).

If the point is that a penitent should make every effort within reason to accommodate others sure. But at the same time we should also make every effort to be patient with long confessions. In my book this is hardly different than the issue of small children in Mass.

With Small Children at Mass - you are still at Mass - although maybe some people are irritated by small children and I am assuming you mean their noise/disruptions (I am one of those parents who has children that I bring to Mass) - however, the difference is, we are discussing the fact that sometimes these long confessions cause us that are waiting to actually miss the sacrament of confession.

 

[CatholicServant]

Yes, sometimes it is priests who make confessions longer.

This is why I think that if priests discover they are regularly turning away penitents, they need to make an effort to schedule more confession times. Sometimes there’s good reason for a penitent to go long. Sometimes there’s good reason for a confessor to go long. Sometimes there is good reason to strictly limit the time that confessions will be heard (e.g. no more than an hour at a time). But if penitents are regularly being turned away by these practices, more confession times should be scheduled.

 

[crazzeto]

With Small Children at Mass - you are still at Mass - although maybe some people are irritated by small children and I am assuming you mean their noise/disruptions (I am one of those parents who has children that I bring to Mass) - however, the difference is, we are discussing the fact that sometimes these long confessions cause us that are waiting to actually miss the sacrament of confession.

That day? Perhaps, but why not make an appointment? How many other parishes confession schedules do you know? I know the schedule for most churches near me. It helps a lot. Also, if too frequently there isn’t enough time have you talked to your pastor anbout permanently extending the time?

I’m all for long confessions, our souls need more than the basics