Reconciliation room

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what is a Reconciliation Room? I have seen it in many churches. I have heard of confessionals but this???:confused:
 
the reconciliation rooms I am familiar have both options of going to confession: either anonymous behind the screen or face-to-face.
 
Florida123 said:
what is a Reconciliation Room? I have seen it in many churches. I have heard of confessionals but this???:confused:
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A Confessional is a series of three very small rooms - one for the priest in the middle, and one on each side that the people go into, with a little grille that they speak through to speak to the priest when they make their confession.

A Reconciliation Room has a privacy screen with a kneeler and a chair - the penitent can choose to sit in the chair and make her confession face-to-face with the priest, or she can go behind the privacy screen and kneel down to make her confession.
 
Or it could be like a small church near me. The “Reconciliation Room” is a very small room, on the right side of the church, just as you enter. On the left is a coat room. The scary thing about it is that there is a window, yes a clear glass WINDOW, in the Reconciliation Room through which people in the nave can clearly see who is confessing. There are no grilles, and there is no option to do anonymous confession.
 
YoungTradCath said:
Or it could be like a small church near me. The “Reconciliation Room” is a very small room, on the right side of the church, just as you enter. On the left is a coat room. The scary thing about it is that there is a window, yes a clear glass WINDOW, in the Reconciliation Room through which people in the nave can clearly see who is confessing. There are no grilles, and there is no option to do anonymous confession.
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It is actually quite traditional that everyone can see who is confessing. Shouldn’t be anything scary about it at all. E.g.:

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1848/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1848R-309550.jpg

http://www.scrapbookpages.com/Oradour-sur-Glane/Church/Confessional.jpg



(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XA1hpMQ3h44/TkP5u-e6xuI/AAAAAAAACEI/CNk7GfSOxxA/s400/confessionbox.jpg
 
A reconciliation room (I’m speaking in a generalization) is easier to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids.

Also, imho, it is less scary with little ones who sometimes have to be there with their parent.

For those who have concerns about confining dark spaces this also might be a great benefit.

When I first saw the door windows, I was not over joyed, but they do have some practical purposes — is Father really in there?.. is somebody else in there confessing?.. I had heard, but I do not if it is true, that some insurance companies have requested this because of some unfortunate events, either way it’s not a bad idea. 🤷

I understand the concern that some one might see me through the window and think I’m a sinner 😃 (stop the presses: I am). 😃 ,but on the other hand, I or anyone else who wants to know who’s in line can always look. If this is a concern (and it might be a reasonable one for some,) most Priest that I personally know or have dealt with also allow confession by appointment in their offices or other suitable place.
 
Kevin812 said:
A reconciliation room (I’m speaking in a generalization) is easier to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids.

Also, imho, it is less scary with little ones who sometimes have to be there with their parent.

For those who have concerns about confining dark spaces this also might be a great benefit.

When I first saw the door windows, I was not over joyed, but they do have some practical purposes — is Father really in there?.. is somebody else in there confessing?.. I had heard, but I do not if it is true, that some insurance companies have requested this because of some unfortunate events, either way it’s not a bad idea. 🤷

I understand the concern that some one might see me through the window and think I’m a sinner 😃 (stop the presses: I am). 😃 ,but on the other hand, I or anyone else who wants to know who’s in line can always look. If this is a concern (and it might be a reasonable one for some,) most Priest that I personally know or have dealt with also allow confession by appointment in their offices or other suitable place.
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I know that we were told 4 years ago in our diocese that our Reconciliation Rooms were to be built with a window and would not permit anonymous confession. The bishop, at the time, argued that it was better for the penitent to be safe than anonymous and one priest got very upset at my question, insisting that you couldn’t be a proper confessor if you weren’t able to know whom you were addressing and counselling.
 
At the Archdiocesan Cathedral…St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney there are rooms for the Sacrament of Reconciliation one for the priest in the middle…one either side and the priest in the middle.

How does it work? How do you know when to begin? Can you hear the other person speaking to the priest, while you wait…
 
Sam20045 said:
At the Archdiocesan Cathedral…St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney there are rooms for the Sacrament of Reconciliation one for the priest in the middle…one either side and the priest in the middle.

How does it work? How do you know when to begin? Can you hear the other person speaking to the priest, while you wait…
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Used to live in Sydney, been to St Mary’s many times for confession.

It’s just like any other church, you’ll wait in line (there’ll be two lines, one on each side of the confessional) and go into the door on your side when the person ahead of you comes out. If memory serves the doors automatically latch shut, so you won’t be able to barge into an occupied confessional or vice versa.

I’ve never overheard anyone else’s confession, although you may hear the priest’s voice, and the other penitent’s voice sometimes. I’ve always found them to be well muffled though.

You’ll know when it’s your turn, the priest slides back the hatch on your side (you’ll hear it, but you won’t see it because there’s a curtain covering it) and you’ll very clearly hear the priest begin by praying the Sign of the Cross or some other short prayer asking God to help you make a good confession. 🙂
 
Kevin812 said:
A reconciliation room (I’m speaking in a generalization) is easier to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids.

Also, imho, it is less scary with little ones who sometimes have to be there with their parent.

For those who have concerns about confining dark spaces this also might be a great benefit.

When I first saw the door windows, I was not over joyed, but they do have some practical purposes — is Father really in there?.. is somebody else in there confessing?.. I had heard, but I do not if it is true, that some insurance companies have requested this because of some unfortunate events, either way it’s not a bad idea. 🤷

I understand the concern that some one might see me through the window and think I’m a sinner 😃 (stop the presses: I am). 😃 ,but on the other hand, I or anyone else who wants to know who’s in line can always look. If this is a concern (and it might be a reasonable one for some,) most Priest that I personally know or have dealt with also allow confession by appointment in their offices or other suitable place.
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You are right that no one is really anonymous as anyone in the church can see you on line to go into confession. The reason they are replacing solid doors also has a lot to do with the abuse problem. It is good that the person confessing is visible at all times, especially children. Also is a closed confessional that we used to have without windows, I have been walked in on at least twice by someone who did not know anyone was in there. (aparently the priest forgot to turn on the light or the person did not see it was on)
 
Sam20045 said:
At the Archdiocesan Cathedral…St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney there are rooms for the Sacrament of Reconciliation one for the priest in the middle…one either side and the priest in the middle.

How does it work? How do you know when to begin? Can you hear the other person speaking to the priest, while you wait…
Click to expand...
Have you had your First Reconciliation, yet? They will explain all about this in your preparation classes.
 
I love those pictures of old confessionals. In many situations where large numbers of Catholics want to go to confession, there will be ‘stations’ set up. Usually two chairs side by side but facing opposite ways (almost like musical chairs) or a chair with a kneeler beside it. These stations are a suitable distance apart and everyone lines up a few feet away.

If everyone is in line for confession, then they are all sinners (presumably ;)) and no one is much worried about who else is on line or what they might be saying.

Also as another poster said, teeny confessionals are hard for the disabled to navigate and can be scary for children or those afraid of enclosed spaces.

We have both and those preparing for the sacrament get a ‘tour’ before they have their first confession.
 
Personally I like the idea of a window in the room. You are already visible when you’re in line, and in the pew afterwards, so everyone knows you are a sinner. It seems appropriate for the window to show the back of the penetent not the face, and maybe even have wavy glass or something, so that facial expressions aren’t easy to make out - after all, people do cry in confession, and it is nice to have a little bit of privacy. But I was under the impression that somewhere out there (was it universal or just in some dioceses), there was a regulation that required new confessionals to be built with visibility to the inside, for the purpose of discouraging anything improper. Obviously a response to the abuse crisis - I think a good one.

That said, I don’t know what having a window in the room has to do with the confession being anonymous. Anonymity is about the priest knowing who is confessing. If you are behind a screen, how would the window behind you give the priest anymore knowledge about your identity than a door with no window? And I don’t know how the priest knowing your identity can protect you from abuse either? Of course, some priests will know you by your voice, and the face to face confession is good too - also easier on people with bad knees, or who have other physical difficulties. It is good to have the option.
 
I would make the argument that a traditional confessional without a face-to-face option would be much safer for the penitent and the priest, as there is a physical separation between them. Private confessions are often preferred by those who are timid or nervous in approaching the Sacrament, and they also are less likely to turn the confession into a lengthy conversation or counseling session, as often happens in face-to-face confessions.
 
Cavaille-Coll said:
I would make the argument that a traditional confessional without a face-to-face option would be much safer for the penitent and the priest, as there is a physical separation between them. Private confessions are often preferred by those who are timid or nervous in approaching the Sacrament, and they also are less likely to turn the confession into a lengthy conversation or counseling session, as often happens in face-to-face confessions.
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cosign
 
Our church has a reconciliation room. The people coming to confess enter through the door that opens into the church. This door is solid and the wall next to it is opaque stained glass. There’s a kneeler and a screen right by the entrance if you prefer anonymous confession. There is also another door that opens into the hallway that does have a small window in it. All you can really see from the outside if you’re walking down the hall is that the light is on and that Monseignor is sitting in there. The way his chair is situatated, his back is facing the door, so you can’t really tell if he’s talking or see facial expressions. If you do face to face confession, someone could probably see you in there from the hallway, but they’d really have to be looking in.

I’ve always heard that the windows are kind of for the priest’s protection so that he’s not completely alone one on one with someone with no witnesses. Having gone through child protection training both with the Boy Scouts as well as through the church, that’s one thing they always stress to adults who have to deal with children is never to be alone with a child whose not yours.
 
Cavaille-Coll said:
I would make the argument that a traditional confessional without a face-to-face option would be much safer for the penitent and the priest, as there is a physical separation between them. Private confessions are often preferred by those who are timid or nervous in approaching the Sacrament, and they also are less likely to turn the confession into a lengthy conversation or counseling session, as often happens in face-to-face confessions.
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Agreed. Any arguments that glass doors or windows make things “safer” are nonsensical, to wit:

To the best of my knowledge, not one claimant in any of the scandals few years ago ever claimed to have been victimized in a confessional.

One cannot hear (Deo gratias) what is said inside a confessional, glass or otherwise, so anyone can claim anything they like. I have a feeling that the glass is designed to help a claimant’s attorneys establish, through witnesses, the claimant’s presence as a penitent in a confessional, should such a claim ever be made. (“Yes, your honor, I was entering the church for the 5PM Mass, and as I passed the reconciliation room, I saw So-and-So making his confession that afternoon.”)

Physical barriers such as screens, curtains or grilles are certainly the safest way to prevent physical contact.

I do not object to the penitent being visible, as I have confessed many times in confessionals that were designed that way, especially in Europe, though I personally prefer confessional boxes, and know many churches that still have them. I prefer that it be completely dark in the box, as I like seeing the small amount of light coming through the screen when the priest opens the sliding door; this reminds me of the priest’s role as Alter Christus, bringing the Light of Christ to the penitent. 👍
 
Cavaille-Coll said:
I would make the argument that a traditional confessional without a face-to-face option would be much safer for the penitent and the priest, as there is a physical separation between them. Private confessions are often preferred by those who are timid or nervous in approaching the Sacrament, and they also are less likely to turn the confession into a lengthy conversation or counseling session, as often happens in face-to-face confessions.
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I agree.
 
Chatter163 said:
Agreed. Any arguments that glass doors or windows make things “safer” are nonsensical, to wit:
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The thing is, the two are not mutually exclusive. You could have a glass door that leads into a confessional with a screen couldn’t you? I can appreciate the darkness and light thing - that’s an interesting idea.

Of course, when you look at the old confessionals, the priest’s box is completely separate from the penitents’ boxes. The only way in to any of those boxes would be to come completely out of the confessional and go in again. That is fairly transparent, AFAIC, so I would be happy to not have a window in a confessional that is set up with that.

As for the position of the penitent, I have done both types of confession (face to face and behind the screen) and I prefer the screen. I think it is much more conducive to talking to God through the priest than simply having what feels like a counseling session. However, recently, I have been having trouble with my knees, and I can’t imagine kneeling upright like that for even a few seconds, let alone an entire confession. It is with great disappointment that I realize I am probably going to be stuck doing face to face confessions for a long time (assuming my knees improve - otherwise, for good). I would REALLY like there to be a chair, next to the screen as well as the kneeler, so that those with physical limitations aren’t forced into face-to face.
 
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