Feeling uncomfortable in "face to face" confession

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I went into a confessional in another city once and there definitely was a screen. The only thing was, you had to walk past the priest to get to it…

Did you call the rectory the next day and let them know, that was a violation of your rights according to Canon Law?

 

[macian]

I actually prefer face to face, it’s always so uncomfortable wondering whether the priest is there or not if you go behind the screen. Although I wish parishes would make it a bit more obvious where confession is in the church! I’ve just moved to a new city, and I tried to go to confession for the past two Saturdays, but I couldn’t figure where confession was the first time, and I had to wait until this past weekend. There should be some signs in the church or something! More people would probably go, but are discouraged when they walk into church and it isn’t obvious where confession is because it is in some side chapel.

 

[Sir_Knight]

How do you avoid feeling uncomfortable in the face to face confession? I have to do it and feel weird about seeing the priest later that day and talking to him “normally” because now he knows who I am and all the sinful stuff I do! I know everyone sins, but still, it’s uncomfortable to me. The “screen” is not an option.

because it’s at a big gathering outdoors, lots of priests available and they have different languages and there aren’t any booths since it’s outside…

**Church Canon Law 964: **

§ 1. The proper place for hearing sacramental confessions is a church or oratory.

** § 2. **As far as the confessional is concerned, norms are to be issued by the Bishops’ Conference, with the proviso however that confessionals, fitted with a fixed grille between the penitent and the confessor, ALWAYS be available in an open place, so that the faithful who so wish may freely use them.

** § 3. Except for a just reason, confessions are not to be heard elsewhere than in a confessional.

 

[NMJenny]

Did you call the rectory the next day and let them know, that was a violation of your rights according to Canon Law?

I didn’t, because it wasn’t my home parish–I was traveling, so I just left it to the parish members to complain. My parish at home offers both options in an appropriate manner…