Confessions on the phone?

[ericdee]

My parish priest is Filipino. He told me that people in his country go to places like Saudi Arabia to be domestic servants. Often times there is no priest anywhere near and the people are forbidden to leave their homes, anyway. They keep a cell phone to call a priest in times of emergency. Father told a group of us he has heard confessions over the phone. We all told him that a person cannot receive absolution over the phone, and he reluctantly agreed, but he said he can give a blessing and tell a person their sins are forgiven. My argument was that people can call him and tell him whatever they want and he can give a blessing, but its not the same as confession. Am I mistaken? Would it still be perfect contrition over the phone?

 

[Rence]

My parish priest is Filipino. He told me that people in his country go to places like Saudi Arabia to be domestic servants. Often times there is no priest anywhere near and the people are forbidden to leave their homes, anyway. They keep a cell phone to call a priest in times of emergency. Father told a group of us he has heard confessions over the phone. We all told him that a person cannot receive absolution over the phone, and he reluctantly agreed, but he said he can give a blessing and tell a person their sins are forgiven. My argument was that people can call him and tell him whatever they want and he can give a blessing, but its not the same as confession. Am I mistaken? Would it still be perfect contrition over the phone?

But your arguement can also apply to the confession box: really people can go in there (or face to face) and say what they want and get a blessing. However, if a person is seeking confession, calls a priest for the purpose, and makes his/her confession, it’s really up to that person to carry out his/her part.

I honestly don’t know what the traditional teachings of the Church are, I’ve never thought to look it up or research it. But I’ve had confession over the phone. And so have many people I know. I don’t remember why I had confession over the phone because it was a while ago, IIRC, the priest was not availabe to wait for me because he had to go somewhere, but had time to do it over the phone. I don’t remember what the circumstances were though.

I would think that if a priest absolves you then you are absoved, the Bible really didn’t say what the conditions had to be that I know of. And again, I’m not sure what tradition teaches. I’m sure someone who has memorized all the encyclicals will show up to answer this one. I’m just answering by saying I’ve done it, and know many who do as well.

 

[Bookcat]

My parish priest is Filipino. He told me that people in his country go to places like Saudi Arabia to be domestic servants. Often times there is no priest anywhere near and the people are forbidden to leave their homes, anyway. They keep a cell phone to call a priest in times of emergency. Father told a group of us he has heard confessions over the phone. We all told him that a person cannot receive absolution over the phone, and he reluctantly agreed, but he said he can give a blessing and tell a person their sins are forgiven. My argument was that people can call him and tell him whatever they want and he can give a blessing, but its not the same as confession. Am I mistaken? Would it still be perfect contrition over the phone?

No.

No Confession over the phone…

and he should not make them believe that they can do this!

and the person may or may not have perfect contrition…but they should make an act of perfect contrition…

a blessing is fine.

but it may not be a good thing to say such things over a phone anyhow!

Catechism:

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.52

 

[EmeraldWings]

you are correct by saying that confession by phone is invalid, and to explain, here is a small piece of an article on confession, which explains it better then i was about to d:

*"Confession by Phone? Internet?

I’ve heard a question asked recently whether or not Confession by telephone or Internet is permitted. The answer is of course no. As we see in the Gospels, it is about a personal encounter with Jesus Christ that matters. In Confession we not only confess our sins but we humble ourselves by kneeling down and begging for mercy. The Prodigal Son did not call from across the field: “Forgive me.” Rather, the Gospel says, the Son “…rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

In Confession Jesus Christ runs back to us and pours grace into our souls. It is about this personal encounter that matters.

The Catholic Church has also condemned Confession through the Internet:

The Pontifical Council on Social Communications on the Church and the Internet published a document in 2002 that says, “virtual reality cannot substitute for the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, nor the sacramental reality of the other sacraments, nor the worship shared in a human community of flesh and bones…Sacraments on the Internet do not exist…Even religious experiences that are possible there through the grace of God are insufficient if they are separated from interaction in the real world with other persons of faith.” "*

you cannot receive any of the other sacraments over the phone, and it’s the same with confession, sacraments are visual and physical means to obtain grace, there is a significance to the distance you are from the priest, we cannot see what is happening spiritually when we go to confession, and we cannot know whether what happens when we are face to face with the priest can also happen when we are miles away.

i’ve been told by a couple of priests that confession on the phone is invalid, although i never thought to ask why at the time, but i think i’ll bring it up next time i talk to my priest.

 

[Rence]

So all those soldiers receiving reconciliation over the phone will go to Hell if they die? That’s so sad. Those poor soldiers

Also, the article mentioned says that you have to be kneeling to receive reconcilation. But for years I’ve been going face to face in a room with two chairs. Does that mean all those confessions and received reconcilations are invalid? How horrible Why would priests do that to someone if it was wrong? I used to go to confession this way, and communion afterwards, weekly for YEARS.

 

[EmeraldWings]

So all those soldiers receiving reconciliation over the phone will go to Hell if they die? That’s so sad. Those poor soldiers

Also, the article mentioned says that you have to be kneeling to receive reconcilation. But for years I’ve been going face to face in a room with two chairs. Does that mean all those confessions and received reconcilations are invalid? How horrible Why would priests do that to someone if it was wrong? I used to go to confession this way, and communion afterwards, weekly for YEARS.

it doesn’t say you *have *to kneel, it just says you humble yourself by kneeling,
there is no saying those soldiers will go to hell if they die, and it would be a sin for us to assume so, they can very well be saved out of their ignorance and also because God does take into consideration when someone cannot go to a priest, God is all fair, and He can still put sanctifying grace into their souls if they just absolutely could not get to a priest, with God all things are possible,
however, with us, we do have the ability to get to a priest, or have a priest come to us if need be,
we must be careful and use discretion when deciding on cases like this, it’s very easy to just fall into the mindset that there’s nothing you can do about it and you’ll just have to trust that God forgives you without confession…the thing is, if we just decide that we can’t get to confession, without praying or trying as best as we can, then we can only blame ourselves and not circumstance, because instead of putting our trust in God and believing that He can make it happen, we put our trust in ourselves and fall short.

you have been forgiven if you went to a priest, you don’t have to be kneeling,
think about it, how many people on their death beds have their confessions heard? how many elderly people who can’t kneel, that’s no problem, the only issue here is the need to be in the presence of the priest for confession, that’s it.

but never think to yourself that a priest is bad for such a thing, and never speak bad of a priest in any case whatsoever, unless it’s to a superior in the church who can be helpful of the situation,
if your priest doesn’t know better, that doesn’t make him bad, it just makes him ignorant or misinformed, and we have no right to judge on that, especially with a priest, when we ourselves are so ignorant of so many things, of course i’m not saying that you think he is bad or that you would speak out like that, but i thought it would be good to mention…just in case.

 

[Rence]

it doesn’t say you *have *to kneel, it just says you humble yourself by kneeling,

Ok, thanks

there is no saying those soldiers will go to hell if they die, and it would be a sin for us to assume so, they can very well be saved out of their ignorance and also because God does take into consideration when someone cannot go to a priest, God is all fair, and He can still put sanctifying grace into their souls if they just absolutely could not get to a priest, with God all things are possible,

**Oh what a relief,I wouldn’t think that would be the case **

What about shut-ins? Priests are supposed to either visit their homes, but what if that can’t be arranged. Would you think it would be okay then for a Priest to do it over the phone?

you have been forgiven if you went to a priest, you don’t have to be kneeling,
think about it, how many people on their death beds have their confessions heard? how many elderly people who can’t kneel, that’s no problem, the only issue here is the need to be in the presence of the priest for confession, that’s it.

That’s true, thank you. You can’t very well kneel if you can’t stand or sit or walk

but never think to yourself that a priest is bad for such a thing, and never speak bad of a priest in any case whatsoever, unless it’s to a superior in the church who can be helpful of the situation,
if your priest doesn’t know better, that doesn’t make him bad, it just makes him ignorant or misinformed, and we have no right to judge on that, especially with a priest, when we ourselves are so ignorant of so many things, of course i’m not saying that you think he is bad or that you would speak out like that, but i thought it would be good to mention…just in case.

Yeah, I used to get mad at priests and nuns when I was younger. I learned to just let it go and pray for them if it really bothered me. When I was growing up I was raised by very strict catholics, so one can imagine how upset it would make them when changes came about in the 60-80s during Mass and other issues. Sometimes, especially with a priest, you have to just let it go and pray for them. We really are not qualified to judge them. God is their only judge. Thanks for your reply

 

[Jermosh]

My parish priest is Filipino. He told me that people in his country go to places like Saudi Arabia to be domestic servants. Often times there is no priest anywhere near and the people are forbidden to leave their homes, anyway. They keep a cell phone to call a priest in times of emergency. Father told a group of us he has heard confessions over the phone. We all told him that a person cannot receive absolution over the phone, and he reluctantly agreed, but he said he can give a blessing and tell a person their sins are forgiven. My argument was that people can call him and tell him whatever they want and he can give a blessing, but its not the same as confession. Am I mistaken? Would it still be perfect contrition over the phone?

I believe a priest cannot give a Perfect act of Contrition, that is only from God. Their intent for repentance and extraordinary circumstance makes for a good case for such though.

We have to remember that Confession is a very complex act, the priest holds representation for other parties, and is their to guide the individual on their own judgement of their conscience.

 

[archistrage]

We must remember that the Church does allow for a perfect contrition, where you can be forgiven without going to Confession. One of the purposes of confession is so you can attain a perfect contrition. However in order to return into God’s graces, you need the priest’s help through the sacraments.

We should also remember guys, that God is still God. He can still do whatever he wants. Only God truly knows our hearts and our ways, and it is only in God that we find forgiveness. For us to say (especially us lay people) that a person is going to hell is to remove God from his position as God, not just as the just judge, but as the merciful Father.

EDIT: I agree that confession over the phone and internet is wrong, just trying to point out these few things.

Archistrage

 

[ericdee]

It seems to me that a) people should be discouraged from going into situations where there are no preists around, b) people use confession as a superstitious kind of thing rather than a sacrament, and c) I won the argument with my preist. Haha. Kidding. He’s a good friend of mine.