Should parishes consider eliminating face-to-face confessions?

[SeriousQuestion]

I have seen a lot of penitents get done in that time.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Where there is a will, there is a way, As is the experience here.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I almost never go to face-to-face confession, and when I do it’s because the line is shorter or something. I don’t get any extra spiritual benefit out of looking some priest who’s probably a stranger to me anyway in the face.

I couldn’t care less if the confession is in a reconciliation room or an old school confessional. I’ve confessed in about every possible type of setting from in a restaurant , to on a kneeler in the middle of an outdoor crowd, to a regular old school confessional, to a reconciliation room with a freestanding screen, to sitting in a pew next to a priest in a church. Since I had a lot of trouble over several decades of my life with confession anxiety, which eventually caused me to just not go to confession for 18 years, I consider forcing myself to confess in any setting a necessary exercise for my spiritual growth and the overcoming of anxiety.

I rarely go to the same priest twice in a row just because I have to confess wherever it’s available on the given day I need it, and I’m all over the place.

Eliminating face-to-face would mostly just make it super difficult to have the big reconciliation sessions around Holy Week, Christmas and at large event Masses and retreats, where they bring in a bunch of priests and put them wherever they can put them including in pews and on folding chairs in the vestibule, in order to handle the crowd of people trying to confess. During normal confession times, the vast majority of people I see going are using the screen.

 

[alice24]

Yes, it’s our way to confess in the Eastern orthodox church. I like it. I face the cross and the Evangelium and my priest is beside me, more like a companion against evil, helping me to confess while standing before the lord. I don’t feel pressured or too shy then, but shame, yes, of course- which is nothing bad in my opinion. I have the feel that the personal advice of my priest feels less judgemental this way and is deeper in my mind as it’s face to face.

 

[rcwitness]

I never understood the “hidden” confessional. We are suppose to be confessing our sin and giving our shame to Jesus. We should not be ashamed of who we are. Actually, it should be the opposite.

Priests have told me shame is wrong (when you turn to Jesus).

Be ashamed for doing the sin, but unashamed for bringing it to Jesus. That’s why He died.

When we are truly forgiven, we should be able to tell people, I did terrible things but Jesus forgave me. Shame, after Confessing is Pride.

 

[Alex5]

I’m not a Catholic yet but have been meeting with my local priest a few times before starting RCIA. One of the questions I asked was if confession was face to face or not. He said that in his last parish there was a choice but at the church I have been going to there is no choice and its not face to face.

This slightly worries me, I would rather see the priest. If its not face to face I would sort of feel like I am talking to myself or don’t have his undivided attention.

 

[rcwitness]

Just focus on being as honest with yourself and Jesus as possible. Confession is about healing. Pride and anxiety prevents healing.you can always schedule a meeting with your priest face to face.

 

[babochka]

The Orthodox (and maybe Eastern Catholics too) confess in front of the church (out of earshot of anyone else) looking at an icon of Christ, with the priest beside him. Maybe something like that would be a good option for those who wish to continue a more face-to-face style of confession? At least that way it is out in the open and not in a room behind a closed door. (Although I don’t know how practical that would be for Latin rite Catholics when there is only one priest hearing confessions, because the option of anonymity in confession is supposed to be always offered.)

Yes, this is how we confess in Eastern Catholic Churches as well. It is in full view of everyone. As far as being out of earshot - that is somerimes dependent upon the abilities of the priest and penitent to keep their voices down and the willingness of others to keep their distance. No different, really, than a confessional with very thin walls. I’ve had to work to not hear the confession of others, even in the Latin Rite. It is almost never a problem . There is only one parishioner where I will consider leaving the church or going away to the back of the church if she is confessing. Everyone else keeps their voices down. Some churches pray the hours or Psalms while confessions are being heard, though ours does not.

One of my children once approached a visiting priest for confession. It was after the liturgy and everyone was in the hall. He told the child he would be happy to, but she needed to get an adult to come upstairs with them, per the guidelines for his Eparchy. So I came upstairs and prayed for them both while he heard her confession. I love the way he handled it.

As you say, I don’t think our style would work for Latin churches because there is such an emphasis on having the availability of the screen and the desire for some degree of anonymity. For those who desire a rather different sort of encounter in confession, they are always welcome to receive the Holy Mystery in an Eastern Catholic Church.

 

[ZMystiCat]

is that what 'penance" is supposed to be?

Personally, I try not to be too harsh, since I don’t know what is being said. At my parish, at most you’ll just hear unintelligible murmuring. From my own experience as someone who does face-to-face, I know I don’t take more time than anyone else, and I’m probably on the shorter end among the early receivers. How long it takes is also dependent on how long confession is (we have daily 20 minute confession and two one hour sessions towards the end of the week) and how grave the matter is.

I think priests may also realize that for many sins people don’t want to have a regular counselling session, since it isn’t as private as confession. That might be why they take a little time to offer advice. I know I’ve certainly never gone out of my way to ask for it, but two of our priests always take time to offer it. Even with that, confession rarely lasts more than 3-5 minutes. Granted, that is itself probably too long to get to everyone some days.

 

[Gorgias]

I would not go to Confession if someone can gawk at me.

Hmm… I wonder how those whom Jesus forgave were scandalized that He “gawked at” them while He forgave them their sins…?

 

[EnglishTeacher]

Can you define what you mean by “Traditional Confessional” vs. “Reconciliation Room”. Other than terminology that has been updated, what differentiates the two in your mind? Does this refer to the architectural style or function? By “Traditional Confessional”, do you mean one that does not allow face-to-face Confession? One that is freestanding within the Church? What about a freestanding room that allows for face-to-face Confession, in an architectural style that is reminiscent of old-style confessionals?

By traditional confessionals, I generally think of free-standing confessionals. However, I have been to a few churches that have their confessionals built into the walls (not free standing), but they are otherwise just like traditional confessionals–separate doors for priest and penitent, a dividing screen that is impossible to go around, and lights to indicate whether someone is in the confessional (obviously the lights have probably only been a thing for the past 6 or 7 decades at most, but they are helpful in avoiding the awkward situation of walking in on someone’s confession ) Although they have separate doors and a complete divider, many of them still offer face-to-face confession by allowing the penitent the option of entering the priest’s side and sitting in a chair there to make his confession.

I guess I associate “Reconciliation Rooms” with a room tucked away in a spot that is difficult to find, or at least not obvious (that’s been my experience; others’ mileage may vary); with one door that is the same for the priest and penitent. There may be a screen in there for those who prefer anonymity, but you can just walk around the screen and make a face-to-face confession on the priest’s side if desired.

Priest and penitent being on the same side behind a closed door, whether in a confessional or reconciliation room, is what I was thinking parishes might want to consider eliminating. They could keep face-to-face confessions that are out in the open, such as (for example) those done in pews during Lenten penitential services.

I didn’t realize that so many people were so strongly in favor to face-to-face confessions, though (which I respect although that is not my preference). So I have learned much from this thread.

 

[TheLittleLady]

If I was not clear, I am referring to the other non-priests who can watch confessions through windows or glass boxes or when confession is out in front of a bunch of people.

I wish I had the piety of St Damian of Molokai, but, I am not there yet.

 

[babochka]

I think priests may also realize that for many sins people don’t want to have a regular counselling session, since it isn’t as private as confession. That might be why they take a little time to offer advice. I know I’ve certainly never gone out of my way to ask for it, but two of our priests always take time to offer it. Even with that, confession rarely lasts more than 3-5 minutes. Granted, that is itself probably too long to get to everyone some days.

I believe the priests generally give some advice during confession because it is a practice recommended by the Church and is part of being a good physician of souls.

 

[Gorgias]

If I was not clear, I am referring to the other non-priests who can watch confessions through windows or glass boxes or when confession is out in front of a bunch of people.

Ahh… no, I didn’t get that vibe from your post.

However, visibility through the confessional is one of the solutions that’s being proposed against the possibility of abuse in the confessional. To object “I don’t like transparency” doesn’t tend to do too well against the current wave of demand for reactions to the abuse crisis…

 

[TheLittleLady]

In the US, we have already seen the impact of the protections put in place 16 years ago after the publication of the John Jay Report and implementation of “Save Environment” programs coast to coast.

While I understand that there are young people and folks from other countries who were not really aware of these happenings back in 2002, those of us with some grey on the head are very aware and appreciative of the existing policies. They work without forcing all confessions to be done in public.

 

[babochka]

I don’t think I’ve ever been in a Reconciliation Room, as you describe it. I’ve seen pictures, but that isn’t the way they are designed around here.

I’ve had confession out in the open, in front of the iconostasis, which is my normal method.

Freestanding confessions are pretty rare in the suburban churches in my part of the world. I’ve used them in Europe and our Cathedral has them. The ones in the Cathedral are large and roomy. They allow for face-to-face confession or behind a screen, but you can’t just walk around the screen. You have to open a door and go through it. Most of the confessionals I’ve been in are built-in to the design of the church rather than freestanding, with this method of accessing face-to-face. You walk in and there is a kneeler and a screen. You can stop there, or go through the door. Sometimes, there are two doors on the outside. You enter one door if you want the screen, the other if you want face-to-face.

The FSSP where I occasionally go to confession has built-in confessionals, but there is no door for accessing face-to-face. Since I don’t prefer confession behind the screen, I’ve lately made an appointment with the priest and he’s been happy to hear my confession in his office.

As you noted, I have a rather strong preference for face-to-face, but having a screen isn’t going to stop me if I have a need to go to confession.

I just spent some time looking at images of Reconciliation Rooms. Its kind of weird that I’ve never seen one like that in person, as I’ve been to confession in a variety of cities and types of parishes.

Really, though, why is this “Traditional Confessional” better than this “Reconciliation Room”?

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[SMHW]

By traditional confessionals, I generally think of free-standing confessionals. However, I have been to a few churches that have their confessionals built into the walls (not free standing), but they are otherwise just like traditional confessionals–separate doors for priest and penitent, a dividing screen that is impossible to go around, and lights to indicate whether someone is in the confessional…

I think it depends on the age of the church building. Those of us who live in areas where the majority of churches were built in the 1960s or later think “free-standing traditional confessionals” are a novelty seen only in the museums of historic churches.

I guess I associate “Reconciliation Rooms” with a room tucked away in a spot that is difficult to find, or at least not obvious…

Again, it depends on the age of the church. Those designed in the 1980s or later tend to have reconciliation rooms that are fairly obvious.

 

[babochka]

EnglishTeacher:

By traditional confessionals, I generally think of free-standing confessionals. However, I have been to a few churches that have their confessionals built into the walls (not free standing), but they are otherwise just like traditional confessionals–separate doors for priest and penitent, a dividing screen that is impossible to go around, and lights to indicate whether someone is in the confessional…

I think it depends on the age of the church building. Those of us who live in areas where the majority of churches were built in the 1960s or later think “free-standing traditional confessionals” are a novelty seen only in the museums of historic churches.

I guess I associate “Reconciliation Rooms” with a room tucked away in a spot that is difficult to find, or at least not obvious…

Again, it depends on the age of the church. Those designed in the 1980s or later tend to have reconciliation rooms that are fairly obvious.

I think this is probably right on. Perhaps the hidden away Reconciliation Rooms were the result of bad renovations in the wake of Vatican II. They tried to use an existing space to create something. Newer churches, built from the ground up, have thoughtfully integrated Reconciliation Rooms and Confessionals into the design from the beginning.

 

[EnglishTeacher]

I think this is probably right on. Perhaps the hidden away Reconciliation Rooms were the result of bad renovations in the wake of Vatican II. They tried to use an existing space to create something. Newer churches, built from the ground up, have thoughtfully integrated Reconciliation Rooms and Confessionals into the design from the beginning.

Yes, now that you say that, I think that is entirely correct. I live in an area with many older churches, the newest being from the mid-1960s and the oldest being from the late 1800s. The ones built in the 1960s have nice built-in confessionals that are easy to find and use. A few of the very old churches have free-standing confessionals that they have either kept or restored after the post-Vatican II wreckovations ceased. A few more of the very old churches got rid of their free-standing confessionals in the wake of Vatican II and then tried to squeeze Reconciliation rooms into whatever existing spaces they had, and as a result, you often have to hunt for them.

 

[joeybaggz]

Haven’t read all the responding posts so I’m sorry if any of this is redundant.
All of you thinking it is a good idea are probably wonderfully young and healthy. As someone with back and leg problems that prohibit kneeling, I want face to face or confession is out for me. (And don’t suggest making an appointment in the rectory). It would be nice if people thought the question through before coming up with a “solution”
Secondly, forcing priests to break the seal of the confessional. In civil law, it will not happen. You can not “force” a law on one group and not others. If priests have to break confidentiality, then so do lawyers, doctors, mental health professionals, counselors, and anyone else who deals with the private lives of people. One law for everybody.