Can one remain anonymous with a confessor?

[pianistclare]

Well, the generation that always confessed in a dark box have not died out. I don’t see the point in alienating those left. The new kids think nothing of confessing face to face. But we still have those who don
t like the notion.
The church permits BOTH
It seems unwise to not give people a choice.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Perhaps, but all I can say as someone who has confessed in multiple dioceses spread over eight countries is that the choice isn’t available everywhere. I’ve confessed in screen-only parishes, F2F-only parishes and those that offer both. :woman_shrugging:t2:

 

[pianistclare]

I didn’t say there were none, I said it’s odd to not allow for both.

There is a certain squick factor that pastors fail to recognize I think.
People can readily admit they believe that the seal is absolute, that priests literally “forget” what they hear, but heaven help us if we have to look at someone I can see where they are coming from. Since our Archdiocese favors huge penance services with 20 confessors available at a time, we get very used to simply confessing to someone else if we are reluctant to confess to our pastors.

 

[semper_catholicus]

It’s funny reading all these comments about how it’s defeating to remain anonymous with a regular confessor, because I’ve been frequenting one priest for about a year now, and haven’t introduced myself to him once! Perhaps I should some time!

 

[UpUpAndAway]

I didn’t say you said there were none

In fact I agree that both should be available in all diocesan parishes. Nevertheless, it’s not the case here nor in many other places. I can’t speak for every single scenario but at the time I requested the screen there simply wasn’t enough uproar about their absence in my parish for our pastor to be bothered to do anything about it. He has bigger fish to fry (challenges exist here that I’ve not seen elsewhere, or at least not as bad as here). That finally changed last December when the ICRSS canons came to help out with confessions during Advent, but once they were gone so were the screens.

Wow. In my fourteen years in this Archdiocese, I have never once seen a 20-confessor penance service. The most I’ve witnessed is five.

 

[casslean]

I myself don’t like going to my parish priest, but that is just my hang up. I’m sure I share it with many.

You know, I was in a place where I was avoiding going to Confession with my pastor, because of that same kind of hang up. And then I thought I had planned the days wrong and would be “stuck” with him if I wanted to confess before Divine Mercy Sunday. Turned out he had another commitment and a different priest was hearing Confession, and I was so relieved. Well, I ended up being a little disappointed, because while I might have hang-ups about going to Confession with him, he is truly a great confessor (though sometimes a tough one), and the priest who heard my Confession, while very nice, was not as helpful as I know my pastor would have been.

So, yeah, I think God was trying to teach me a bit of a lesson there.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If the point of having a regular confessor is to be able to get advice to overcome habitual weaknesses, then I don’t understand the point of anonymity. How can the priest counsel YOU if he doesn’t know it’s you? Maybe it’s just another person with the same faults. If you want anonymity then it seems like you’re going to get the generic advice the priest gives everyone.

 

[YourNameHere]

It is interesting how things are different at different parishes.

 

[HeDa]

I am not sure I fancy those rooms with glass windows and doors. I and several others read lips and sign language and therefor understand what is being said. Besides there are those times when going to Confession is very emotional and people start crying. Would they like everyone to know that they are crying during confession?

 

[YourNameHere]

“If you can’t take the shame, don’t be to blame.”

I thought confession was about admission of sins and forgiveness of sins. I did not know shame and blame were supposed to be part of the equation.

 

[babochka]

Technically, I think all folks confessing have the right to confess anonymously. Of course, practically speaking, that might be difficult because the priest might recognize your voice, etc.

The right that exists is to confess behind a screen/fixed grille. This helps with anonimity, but does not guarantee it.

 

[Phemie]

Lots of churches I visited in Europe have confessionals with grilles but the penitent is in full view.

 

[StarMapp]

It is due justice payed for an offense. The effect, or if you will, the lesson should always be remembered. The past should not be mentally relived, because it has the potential to be used as a tool of discouragement by spirits. Our Lord desires us to put the past behind us and help rebuild the future. But the offense to His Majesty should be remembered, and who doesn’t recall an injury and injustice we committed to the one we love.