Priest Distracted in Confession

[SouthernCatholic99]

Went to Confession recently (with the curtain between) but the Priest seemed distracted while I was speaking. Could hear papers being gone through and one yawn as well. No comments were made on anything I said either. Has anyone else had this sort of a situation before? I don’t recall having one like this before. Though it began and ended in customary fashion, it just felt like he wasn’t paying attention and just waited for me to stop talking. Absolution was granted of course, but it just left me feeling a little off and feeling it wasn’t a proper confession.

 

[Timeflies2me]

For priests I could only guess it gets kind of tiring after a while. I mean hearing pretty much the usual common sins over and over again, of course forgetting in the process.

But we cant forget what confession is all about, going to Jesus while the priest is in “Corpus Christi” so he can absolve you for being sorry for your sins. Its thats simple really, the priest being distracted can be one thing, but it shouldnt be a huge deal. Remember Christ already knows your sins and as long as you get absolution your good.

Its always good to remember that confession is where we tell the time, not how the clock is made. A priest once told me its the same concept as a drive through. You order and get the food. In confession you say your sins, and get absolved. I kind of went off topic of your situation, but I guess it can boil down to were all human. Confession is confession, hope i helped!

 

[otjm]

I think what you meant is “Alter Christus”, not Corpus Christi".

“Alter Christus” is the term the Church uses for when the priest stands in the place of Christ.

“Corpus Christi” means the Body of Christ - which the priest never becomes,

 

[InThePew]

If you showed up intending to confess your sins and were absolved from your sins then that’s that. It doesn’t matter if the priest was reading his breviary, reading the newspaper or just catching up on the administrative backlog; if you showed up with the right intention, confessed your sins and were absolved thn that’s all there is to it as far as your concerned, What your priest was doing is a matter for him not you - like most of us, you’ve got enough problems of your own without worrying about others’!

 

[Tis_Bearself]

It sounds like he was tired. While it’s a little impolite to yawn, everybody has an off day sometimes and the schedules some of these priests work are insane. As for the papers, he may have been reading Scripture or prayers.
You got absolution so there’s no reason for you to be concerned about it; priests aren’t required to offer individualized comments on each person’s sins.
Pray for the priest.

 

[Cirdan_XII]

Sometimes in situations like this it isn’t rude to ask a question such as “are you with me?” or “are you still there?” or even “Father? Are you tired? Would you prefer me to come back another day?”. It’s not right for a priest to be distracted during confession and if people continue to pretend they haven’t noticed anything, he will never see a reason to make more effort.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I disagree with this. You’re in the confessional to be penitent for your own sins, not call out the priest on his purported small failings such as yawning. To do so in my opinion would be a further sin of pride and lack of humility.

 

[Cirdan_XII]

Doesn’t that depend on the motivation behind you calling him out? If you’re trying to be smart or superior then indeed I agree with you. But what about if you are genuinely concerned and this is not a one-off incident but the priest generally creates the impression of being dozy and not as switched on as the parishioners have the right to expect. Aren’t I helping the priest in such a situation by making him aware of something he may not have noticed himself? If nobody does that people may eventually start going astray, looking for other parishes and the priest may never work out why.

 

[edward_george1]

I really don’t think it’s as bad as all that. A priest has an off day, no one corrects him for, you know, being human, and eventually his parishioners flee???

If you come across this, be grateful the priest is hearing confessions, be grateful you got absolved, pray for the priest, don’t dwell, and move on. It’s possible he had been up since dawn, offered three masses, got called to the hospital twice, two different hospitals for two difficult cases, before having a ten minute break to eat lunch before two hours of confessions, with a headache and ready to fall asleep.

I know it’s possible, because that was me a couple weeks ago.

I’m not usually one to quote Thomas Merton, but this gem is very helpful:

One of the first things to learn if you want to be a contemplative is to mind your own business. Nothing is more suspicious, in a man who seems holy, than an impatient desire to reform other men.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Fuerza]

Maybe he was having an off day, or perhaps he is able to effectively multitask and could handle hearing your confession while catching up on paperwork. I frequently go to confession and the priest is eating lunch behind the curtain (the curtain is partially see-through and I can also smell it). Doesn’t bother me, especially considering the chapel offers 3-5 Masses and has confession for several hours each day. Also, I actually prefer when the priest doesn’t provide much commentary. Given that I have a touch of scrupulosity (though to a much lesser extent than in the past), the point before the priest grants absolution is where my imagination has a chance to go wild with all the ways I may have invalidated the confession. A quick absolution takes that opportunity away and leaves me at peace. If I need advice on something I’ll ask.

 

[DeniseNY]

he will never see a reason to make more effort.

This may not have been the intent, but this just comes across as uncharitable to our clergy. If a priest is tired (or ill, or has something else going on because, you know, he’s human) he is making an effort by being there and absolving you of your sins.

 

[Cham65]

I wouldn’t take any offense from this incident.
Fr was no doubt trying to multi task in his demanding schedule. We must all remember what a difficult but demanding vocation the priesthood is. Lets try and pray for not only this priest but others throughout the world and also those who thinking of priesthood.

The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I frequently go to confession and the priest is eating lunch behind the curtain (the curtain is partially see-through and I can also smell it).

This immediately reminded me of the video for Jefferson Starship’s “No Way Out” in which Fr. Guido Sarducci is hearing a confession in his confessional while eating what appears to be a McChicken or Filet-O-Fish sandwich. (He is also shown smoking and petting his dog during the confession, which involves a guy lying about having cheated on his wife/ girlfriend.)