Should I complain?

[child_of_God85]

I was going to make my confession tonight. One of the only churches in town that has confession during the week is 15 miles from where I live, so I drove over there around the time it started. The people in front of me took a really log time confessing, so when it came to my turn there was only about 5 minutes before mass. As I was walking into the confessional the Priest told me to come back some other day because confessions were over. By my watch cofessions still had 5 minutes to go. So I’m now on my way to another church even farther away.
Should I call the cathedral and complain? I’ve never heard of a priest turning someone away.

 

[ora_pro_nobis]

If the same priest was going to celebrate Mass he would need at least 5 minutes to get ready - putting on vestments, praying and collecting himself before Mass starts.

It is unfortunate that other penitents took time in the confessional, but it’s not the priest’s fault. Perhaps he might have offered to hear your confession after Mass (ours does that sometimes when there are people still waiting and he has to go get ready for Mass), though maybe he had other appointments after Mass.

I don’t exactly see what you would complain about - surely a long line of people for confession is a good sign?

 

[amerrychase]

I wouldn’t complain, but have a plan for next time. In similar situations, I ask Father if he will hear my confession right after Mass, with assurances that I have thoroughly examined my conscience, only have X number of sins to confess, and don’t need any counseling. (I think the last condition is the most important. ) With those conditions, the priest sometimes even goes ahead and hears it beforehand.

 

[Edmundus1581]

I can understand your disappointment, but you have nothing to complain about. Any priest will leave the confessional at least 5 minutes before Mass. If the schedule says “Confessions: 5:00 to 5:30”, and Mass is actually at 5:30, then whatever the schedule says, if the priest is to say Mass then he will leave the confessional before 5:30.

The only way to be sure of having your confession heard is to be near the start of line, which can be done by arriving before the scheduled start.

Arriving early for confession becomes a habit.

 

[IrishRush]

When I go to confession, if I find myself going in near the end of the time allowed for confessions, I try to make it a point just before I leave to tell our priest how many more people were still in line behind me when I came in. They seem appreciative when I do that.

 

[child_of_God85]

It’s just the way he said it that bothered me. He just brushed me off withot any care.

 

[Edmundus1581]

It’s just the way he said it that bothered me. He just brushed me off withot any care.

It doesn’t matter whether this was a priest, your employer, a friend, or your spouse.

Never complain about minor slights.

Offer it up to God.

 

[Margie9]

It’s just the way he said it that bothered me. He just brushed me off withot any care.

Unfortunately, some priests do have arrogant personalities. Sounds like you were justifiably hurt, frustrated and disappointed that you made a great effort to go to Confession, and then not only could not go due to the time, but were refused in a less than gracious manner. Your complaint isn’t really with the Cathedral scheduling procedures. Rather you feel rejected, because you were, even if objectively there was a reason, the priest being pressured for Mass and the other people taking unusually long. I’m afraid there is probably nothing to do, unless you feel so strongly you actually want to tell this priest how you felt. But maybe after a few days you will be able to let go of some of those feelings. I do sympathize with you based on similar experiences of my own.

 

[Joannm]

You could have just said. “Father I traveled a long way to get here on time to go to confession. Do you think you could hear my confession after Mass?”

I usually make an appointment for confession or arrive early for confessions to avoid that problem.