Problem with Confession

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reggi27

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My son is going to be receiving his First Communion in two weeks. Since the first confession for the children was in January, the sister in charge of catechism at our church urged all the parents to take the children again before their First Communion so they could learn the importance of confessing their sins before receiving the Eucharist. We went to one of the churches in our area - not our regular parish - and were standing in line for 30 minutes. My son was complaining, so I told him that we were there to have our sins forgiven, so we could be closer to God; it’s worth it to have to wait a little bit if we are closer to God when we’re done. He agreed and stopped complaining. 15 minutes later, the priest came out and told the 6 people still waiting that they had to lock up the church and we’d have to come back another time.

My son thought it “sucked” and I can’t help but agree. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have to kind of build up my courage to go to confession. This is discouraging on many levels. I just don’t feel it’s appropriate to turn people away from having their sins forgiven just because the hour allotted to confessions is up. And what is this teaching my son about confession?

Any other thoughts on this would be appreciated.
 
reggi27 said:
My son is going to be receiving his First Communion in two weeks. Since the first confession for the children was in January, the sister in charge of catechism at our church urged all the parents to take the children again before their First Communion so they could learn the importance of confessing their sins before receiving the Eucharist. We went to one of the churches in our area - not our regular parish - and were standing in line for 30 minutes. My son was complaining, so I told him that we were there to have our sins forgiven, so we could be closer to God; it’s worth it to have to wait a little bit if we are closer to God when we’re done. He agreed and stopped complaining. 15 minutes later, the priest came out and told the 6 people still waiting that they had to lock up the church and we’d have to come back another time.

My son thought it “sucked” and I can’t help but agree. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have to kind of build up my courage to go to confession. This is discouraging on many levels. I just don’t feel it’s appropriate to turn people away from having their sins forgiven just because the hour allotted to confessions is up. And what is this teaching my son about confession?

Any other thoughts on this would be appreciated.
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There’s no excuse for that behavior. Sorry for your experience.
 
Been there, done that. For me it was that the priest had to start the daily mass.

I just try to understand from their viewpoint. They’re busy people too. Unfortunately, they can’t spend all day in the confessional, even though it is very important. I just look at what’s important: God. God’s important enough for me to go again until I can get in.
 
After missing out on reconciliation a few times because of this, I learned my lesson to always be early. The time posted for confessions is the time the priest opens the confessional, so people line up before that. I’ve never been denied reconciliation since I started making the effort to be early!
 
It’s horrible behaviour. The only time that I could ever excuse a priest for not finishing with everyone waiting for Confession is 1) if he had to start Mass (in this case, he should announce that he will continue Confession after Mass), or 2) if there was an emergancy. In the case presented above, however, where the priest just had to lock up… there’s no excuse. It was a bad example for your son (if forgiving sins is so important then why didn’t the priest continue Confession?). As a poster above said, I’m sorry for your experiance.
It’s times like this that I wish Christ would call me to the priesthood. There’s nothing that would give me more joy than to sit in Confession, being an instrument through which G-d forgave sins.
The priest at the parish that I’m at right now will sit in the Confessional for hours so that people can confess. A lot of priests don’t do this because they think not enough people are interested. In what I’ve seen, however, if there’s a priest in the confessional, there are people lining up for Confession.
 
I would be a little upset too. I was turned away once, but I did not mind because I knew I was late and the person that had just confessed informed everyone that the priest was only able to hear two more confessions before he had to stop.

I have to agree that we should try to get to confession as early as possible to avoid this.
 
bmadamsberry said:
It’s horrible behaviour. The only time that I could ever excuse a priest for not finishing with everyone waiting for Confession is 1) if he had to start Mass (in this case, he should announce that he will continue Confession after Mass), or 2) if there was an emergancy. In the case presented above, however, where the priest just had to lock up… there’s no excuse. It was a bad example for your son (if forgiving sins is so important then why didn’t the priest continue Confession?). As a poster above said, I’m sorry for your experiance.
It’s times like this that I wish Christ would call me to the priesthood. There’s nothing that would give me more joy than to sit in Confession, being an instrument through which G-d forgave sins.
The priest at the parish that I’m at right now will sit in the Confessional for hours so that people can confess. A lot of priests don’t do this because they think not enough people are interested. In what I’ve seen, however, if there’s a priest in the confessional, there are people lining up for Confession.
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Everyone keeps saying “there’s no excuse”…how in the world do you know? This priest told them he had to lock up the church, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have other commitments…or emergencies. He could have just said “had to lock up” so they realize they can’t stay.

What if a couple was waiting to meet him for marriage prep? What if someone was waiting for him for any kind of appointment? So he stays to hear confessions, but then the other party considers him rude/no show. No one knows if this particular day there was lot of people showing up that normally don’t.

It’s frustrating, yes. But life and time happen.
 
agapewolf said:
Everyone keeps saying “there’s no excuse”…how in the world do you know? This priest told them he had to lock up the church, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have other commitments…or emergencies. He could have just said “had to lock up” so they realize they can’t stay.

What if a couple was waiting to meet him for marriage prep? What if someone was waiting for him for any kind of appointment? So he stays to hear confessions, but then the other party considers him rude/no show. No one knows if this particular day there was lot of people showing up that normally don’t.

It’s frustrating, yes. But life and time happen.
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I stated that there were some legitamate excuses.
 
The priest at my parish, to the best of his ability, accomodates everyone. He said not long ago that typically, at the beginning of the hour (330-430PM Sat) hardly anyone shows up, then at 425PM, six people will be in line - at the time he needs to finish and be ready for mass at 5PM. I think people come late and then plan on staying for mass. He is very flexible at making appointments and during Lent and Advent offers ample times for confession with extra priests. Also said that same thing happens during these additional confession times. Said not long ago four priests were hearing confessions and 3 of the 4 priests were finished at the end of the allotted time and went back to the rectory. He had one person in line when the others left. Needless to say, he didn’t return for another hour because as he was ready to leave, ten showed up. Being the good priest that he is, he stayed. The priests can’t always remain and hear everyones confession though.
 
I know how you feel. And it is a very sad experience. I can understand that Priests are very busy, but to me when it comes to the sacrament of reconciliation the priest **AS A ****PHYSICIAN OF SOULS ** should NOT deny you a penitent soul from being reconciled with the Trinity.
Padre Pio used to reject the sacrament of penance to some people but it isn’t because he was tired, or because he had to ‘lock up’ the Church he did for just reasons. Look it up.
 
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