Poll: Behind the screen or face to face confession?

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smichhertz

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For a long time, I was behind the screen. Then a priest told me one time that he noticed people who went face to face, tended to progress quicker in their spiritual life.

Since then, I have switched to face-to-face and I have to admit, I have noticed a difference. I think the face-to-face confession puts more pressure on you to improve your spiritual life.

I’m curious as to what others think about this, and which method people tend to prefer.
 
I always thought that I’d prefer the anonymity of being behind the screen, but our reconciliation chapel is really just a room with a little cubicle wall type divider in it. It actually feels pretty silly to sit on the other side of the screen when it’s still pretty obvious to the priest exactly who it is that is sitting on the other side. So I surprised myself when it actually felt more comfortable/natural to just sit down in the chair across from the priest and do my confession face-to-face. It also helped to be able to see the priest’s face and facial expressions as we spoke - there was a fair bit of dialogue back and forth between us, not just me reading off a list. So I’d vote for face-to-face.
 
Screen. Our pastor excercises his option to just use the screen, so that is what is available to us.
 
I don’t have the document right now, but don’t forget that in addition to the penitent having a choice of screen or not, the priest also can choose to use the screen, and not hear confessions face to face, if he wishes.
 
I bet if you had made this a public poll where we could see who voted for what, the “face-to-face” option would be winning instead. 🙂

I think going face-to-face definitely offers an opportunity to grow in humility.
 
Behind the screen, big time. It’s more comfortable for me. The priest who said “face to face” can enhance your spiritual life might mean well, but he can’t make you confess that way.
 
Interesting. I never knew that the priests also had the option. Then again, I’m not sure how I would have known as I’d never thought of it before nor thought to look into it. I wonder if I put Fr. on the spot when I show up … since returning I’ve never gone behind a screen. I considered it once but got into the feeling of needing to bite the bullet, say what I needed to and let him help me handle the rest. He hasn’t yet motioned me toward the screen or anything so perhaps I’m still good 😛

But thank you for those of you who shared that bit of information!
Curiosity has bitten me. Is it rude to wonder why a priest might choose to use a screen? It might be terribly obvious but I cannot think of why right now he might prefer it. No need to answer if it simply isn’t anything one should concern themselves with. Think I’m curious just for the sake of being curious. 😊
 
In the Orthodox Church we practice confession standing before the icon of Christ, next to the priest, so I suppose you’d call that “side to side”. 🙂
 
I like face to face because, as someone else said, it definitely keeps you humble. But I also like being able to have a conversation with the priest. For some reason it seems they take their time with you when it’s face to face.
 
I think it has a lot to do with how you were introduced to confession. I’ve made my confession both ways. I don’t recall having felt afterward that one way was better than the other.
 
Face to face…It’s definately a humble feeling …youre right. Our previous priest gave us the choice. This one does too, but encourages face to face confession. “Humble” is the right word!!
 
I’ve tried to put myself in the priest’s shoes when it comes to this sacrament, how awkward, embarrassing, and crushing it must be at times to listen to all of those sins. Yeah, they get training and support, but I can only imagine it must be one of the hardest parts of their job even if the sins and the penitents run together after a while.

Maybe I’m a softie, but I’ve always gone for the screen for this reason if one’s available. The priest still has to listen to me confess sins, but he doesn’t have to interact with me on a personal level (i.e., look me in the eye, watch my facial expressions, etc.). Plus, I’ve been known to cry during the sacrament; I know a lot of men have a hard time dealing with tears, so I try to save him from having to see them.

(And no, before you get any ideas, I don’t confess to torturing puppies or anything like that. I just get emotional like that sometimes.) 😛
 
Behind the screen and here’s why -

It’s just as humbling to me…I can’t hide from God anyway. My problem is, face-to-face with the priest, I get nervous and forget things. There have even been times I’ve flat out not said something because dude was right there. I’m more honest with myself and the priest behind the screen.
 
mom2em said:
Interesting. I never knew that the priests also had the option. —

Curiosity has bitten me. Is it rude to wonder why a priest might choose to use a screen? It might be terribly obvious but I cannot think of why right now he might prefer it. No need to answer if it simply isn’t anything one should concern themselves with. Think I’m curious just for the sake of being curious. 😊
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I think a priest will do what he feels is more comfortable for the most people coming to confession.
 
I like both, depending on my confession.

I like to go face-to-face when I have something weighing on my heart and mind that I especially want to confess.

But other times when I prepare for confession, I write a list of things the LORD brings to mind. I would feel silly sitting face-to-face with a list 😊 so then I use the screen.

I didn’t vote in your poll because there wasn’t an option that fit for me!
 
TheMc said:
I don’t have the document right now, but don’t forget that in addition to the penitent having a choice of screen or not, the priest also can choose to use the screen, and not hear confessions face to face, if he wishes.
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True, but keep in mind the poll is simply asking for the individual’s preference. Not what they currently do because of the priest’s preference.
 
LPS said:
I like both, depending on my confession…I didn’t vote in your poll because there wasn’t an option that fit for me!
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Sorry, I thought about doing a “both” option but then I worried that too many users would just select that and we couldn’t get a clear idea of which one is more preferred. In any case, you still got to post your thoughts on it!
 
I go face to face. After all I am talking to my father (God). When my earthly father was alive and I needed to confess something I did wrong, I did not hide behind a screen, but sat down and talked to him person to person. Face to face makes me truly acknowledge my faults before God.
 
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