Priests Demeanor Towards Others in Confession

[E_Glynn]

If a priest is clearly unhappy… well short, with a “get out of here” attitude… in the confessional, is this something one could make known to pastor? This is not face to face, but behind a screen. Man to woman. She has not gone to confession to him but twice in five years, and they have had very little interaction.

 

[Gorgias]

If a priest is clearly unhappy… well short, with a “get out of here” attitude… in the confessional, is this something one could make known to pastor? This is not face to face, but behind a screen. Man to woman. She has not gone to confession to him but twice in five years, and they have had very little interaction.

How would one with so little interaction with someone, be able to make accurate judgments about him (“unhappy”, “short”, “get out of here attitude”), especially behind a screen? Even if a person thought that they could get an accurate read on someone’s actions, how could this person come to a conclusion – wouldn’t it be possible that the person was having a bad day, or was tired?

Just curious…

 

[Anna_Claire]

I would have asked the priest involved about his attitude right then and there. You are going for reconciliation. Love, mercy and kindness is what this sacrament is for. Don’t let a priest speak to you with a bad attitude. I wonder how many incidents like this are making people stay away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

[Lochias]

I would have asked the priest involved about his attitude right then and there. You are going for reconciliation. Love, mercy and kindness is what this sacrament is for. Don’t let a priest speak to you with a bad attitude. I wonder how many incidents like this are making people stay away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Personally speaking, I think a kind and quiet “thank you, Father, have a very wonderful day” would suffice. There’s no telling, at all, what a person’s day may hold, and our priests need our support more than ever.

 

[Luna_Lovecraft]

If a priest is clearly unhappy… well short, with a “get out of here” attitude… in the confessional, is this something one could make known to pastor? This is not face to face, but behind a screen. Man to woman. She has not gone to confession to him but twice in five years, and they have had very little interaction.

Twice in five years? Assume the priest is having an off day - and really, who among us hasn’t had more than two in five years? - say a pray for him, and move on.

Luna

 

[Castello]

Confession should be very to the point and brief. Counseling and Spiritual Direction should be handled at a separate appointment.

Name your sins, kind and number. Briefly answer any questions Fr has, pray your act of Contrition and receive your penance - you are done.

 

[rhiannonh]

Really Castello

That just explains what you get from confession

but how does that help the opening post.

Ps
If the priest gives advice there and then that is the choice of the priest. In the Anglican confessional indeed it says on our cards that Advice and Penance. Advice around the actual sin shouldn’t be done else where because then the seal of confession is broken because its being discussed in another time.

Though I’ve just realised that I broken it my end but only from the point of view of sharing my penance. Though its so much harder when I share a lot of stuff anyway with him. But I have my own kind of relationship with the priest and nothing is said out of confidentialness…

 

[Anna_Claire]

Personally speaking, I think a kind and quiet “thank you, Father, have a very wonderful day” would suffice. There’s no telling, at all, what a person’s day may hold, and our priests need our support more than ever.

Agree about a polite “have a nice day” is good, as well as the fact that priests need our support BUT…this is a time and place that we need their support more than ever. Also, with the current status of the ordained in the eyes of many…priests should not be alienating Catholics.