The visual is a priest covering his face in a share of humiliation with the repentant sinner. This is a respectable practice. The confessional is total defiance against extreme right-to-privacy bodies with no means of uncovering their scandals. For the Church maintains a strict anonymity with respect to Reconciliation, but ultimately has an outward transparency. It’s easy to slack off our responsibility to God and neighbor if we are only praying for forgiveness in the bedroom without confronting any person. Scripture mentions confessing sins together.
