Is it "rude" to schedule Confession with another parish?

[Sailor_Kenshin]

The Church is Universal. You can attend Mass anywhere; likewise Confession.

For me, since I go to the Vigil, it’s a matter of convenience to find a church which offers confessions just prior to that.

 

[MusicMAM]

Not rude at all… I almost never go to the parish I belong to because their scheduled confession times are on Saturday afternoons. I’ve been fairly regular about receiving the sacrament since I started stopping at a different parish on my way home from work. They have confession before the 5:30pm mass, so I stick around for that and stock up on as much grace as I can manage. It’s nice to wipe the slate clean and get Jesus in the middle of the week.

 

[thequeen]

I desparately need to go to Confession but I know it will take me about 20 min to just confess.The sins are a result of family problems/extreme anger etc, etcI.

tried waiting in line these past two Saturdays and Sundays(before Mass)but I just didn’t want to keep other people waiting.

Is it rude to schedule Confession with a priest from another Parish? I would like to go face to face but just don’t want to with my Parish priest.

Thanks.

No it is not rude at all sometime I go to another priest not because i have anything against the one at my own parish but sometimes when i am running errands and just getting the stuff i need to get done it is sometimes more convenient to go to confession at another parish that is inthe area where i happen to be at the present time

 

[Homeimprguy]

I was recently in jail for a few months and was visited by a local priest for confession. Long story but it was extremely helpful for me to confess my sins {not the reason I was in jail} and the unburdening of my heart helped me immensely. I sat face to face with a priest that I had never met before and told him my darkest secrets, I wish that I had had the opportunity to talk to my parrish priest but it was not possible. I felt so much lighter that it was unreal, I never understood the importance of the sacrament until last year after going through a retreat program with our church. I highly recommend the CRHP program and went on to two teams to help. Very good feelings now about my church and my brothers and sisters in the Parrish. What a Godsend for me while incarcerated. The church is a universal body, confess often and feel free!

 

[mezzapinta]

For a long time, I pretty much refused to go to confession with any priest I personally knew. I’d wonder “are they thinking about what I did?” when I’d see them at Mass, parish functions, etc. (even though I know this is completely not true!) But one time, during a communal penance service, I decided to be “brave” and go to my own pastor. Now I’d prefer not to go to anyone else! It’s great to have a confessor who knows about my struggles, current things happening in my life, etc. If there’s a particular area where I keep stumbling, he knows the background and can advise me accordingly.

I concur with others here–it doesn’t matter where you go or who your confessor is. The important thing is that you are receiving the sacrament and its graces.

 

[JerrySeibert]

First, if you have allot of people in line for Reconciliation. That’s a wonderful thing. Truly. It amazes me every week the amount of people come to confession at my parish. Secondly, if you feel it will take that long. Then speak to your Priest. I’m sure he will make an appointment for you.
Example: I found short notice, I had to fly 1/3 of the way across the country for a meeting. I left Friday. Reconciliation is Saturday. One rule. I don’t fly with no absolution. Flying scares me. I explained this to my Priest he said, “I have a Funeral Mass to attend,… how about 1 o’clock.” It is really that easy.
I would be worried if you are considering another Parish? Why? Do you not trust the Seal of Confession? I did not either but, my Priest explained to me that in order to accept Ordination he had to agree that he would face Martyrdom vs. breaking the Seal.

Hope this helps. And, it typically can take long contrary to other postings. My Priests all of them use Reconciliation as a way to teach the love of Jesus and his forgiveness. It is awesome.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Some of our parish staff have commented that they like it whenever we have a strange priest in for a mission or fund raising. They flock to him for confession. On the other hand there are three more churches within five miles or less; so it is easy to find another priest.

 

[GKCT]

I had not been to Mass/confession in over 35 years. I was lucky enough to speak with a priest from my parish after weekday Mass and he heard my confession then and there. And I have spoken with him since. Yes, it was embarrassing and tough, but he was gentle and kind and did not judge. I like it that a priest “knows me” and I can ask him almost anything. I don’t understand why folks travel around to different parishes, seems like a waste of time. Make an appointment with your own parish priest, you will be happy that you did. And remember, they have heard everything and will be happy to have you back in the fold. Pray to the Holy Spirit to give you strength and courage. I did. God bless.

 

[Jannys_Ima]

I had 45 years’ of sins and warned the priest at the get-go. I said I could come in later privately, or whatever. He said he would give me a blanket absolution if I told him the one that bothered me the most, and that I should feel free to make an appointment to discuss anything else.

It sounds like you really need to talk. I’d suggest making an appointment instead. That way, you’re both comfortable and you’re not inconveniencing people behind you in line. I don’t think it’s fair to the priest to monopolize him, either, during open confession. Twenty minutes is pretty long, and gives everyone behind you another sin to confess!

 

[the_7th_one]

Confession is very personal, you go were you feel the most open to tell it all to God through the priest. If it is another Parish, so be it.

 

[GKCT]

James, that is a rude thing to think. The priest and confessor could just be discussing something and would have nothing to do with “sinning”. Please rethink what you think.

 

[David2010]

[edited]
. . . and the priest talked for 25 minutes about any number of topics unrelated to my sins!

Betsy

I have had a few confessions like that too. I usually attend the semi-annual penitential services in our community (Christmas and Easter). Monday evening, about seven or eight priests meet at one church in the area and hear confessions throughout the church. Tuesday, they will meet at a different church. And on it goes for the week. That way people can get to confession, and hopefully one of those nights is convenient for them. Although I am not totally comfortable with having confession in a corner of the church. I know the person in the other corner cannot hear me, because I cannot hear him having his confession, but it still seems a little too open.

There is also an abbey about 45 minutes away, with many priests all the time. Basically, any time we go up there to visit, we can take confession. I did that once, and the priest chatted with me for about 30 minutes, about nothing to do with my confession. I think some of them just get bored, or want to hear a little about the lives of people who are out in the world.

 

[HamletThinks]

Once upon a time, when I left the confessional and there were no other folks in line, I would return and leave the door open and just talk about miscellaneous stuff. Like the pastor was having trouble fixing the parking lot or the paint was peeling on the south side, stuff like that. When someone finally arrived, they would hear the chit-chat and stick their heads in and I would wave them in and head off to say my penance.
What a terrific idea! I will try to remember this one.

One caution: sometimes our priest has very obviously been praying a Rosary. In such case, I would not stay to chat. God bless our Marian priests who call upon Our Lady before offering Mass!