Training for Confession

[papaspicy]

This question is mostly for priests, or those in the know:

I have often heard it said that the confessional is like going to counseling for ten minutes, except better because it’s free. I think this is really oversimplifying and disregarding the fullness of what the sacrament is, of course, but the idea got me thinking. What formal training do priests typically have for the confessional? Obviously, any priest that has a PhD in psychiatry or something similar is not normal, and there really is no better training than the experience gained by having people come to him for confession and going to confession themselves. Do priests take a specific class at seminary that trains them? Is there any continuing education on the matter, like doctors have? I’m just curious what the various experience levels that priests have.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

I was in major seminary for two years from 2002-2004. Seminaries can differ, but I will give you my experience. Seminarians, of course, will have theology classes in the sacraments where they will discuss Confession. They will also have some topics come up in their canon law course that deals with the sacraments (because these classes will deal with the rights and duties of the faithful, etc.). They usually will have some kind of class in “pastoral counselling” and often times at least the opportunity to take an elective in “spiritual direction.” What they learn from pastoral counselling (a more psychological approach) and spiritual direction they could employ in the confessional.

Other than that, they will ususally have at least one year of practicums where they practice (at least for part of that year) hearing confessions and giving counsel and penances (the confessions, of course, are made by people who knowingly fabricate sins for the demonstration). They are then evaluated by their peers and usually a priest who is part of the formation staff. These practicums are often held during the seminarians 4th and final year (after his ordination as a transitional deacon).
Other than that, that is about it. I would bet that most priests would tell you that they hone their confessional skills “on the job.” They best way to learn is just through years of experience and acquired wisdom.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

I would also add that most priests would be the first to tell you that they should not be used for in-depth psychological counsellors. Part of the priest’s job is to consel the faithful, without a doubt. However, while they may be given a briefing in psychological principles in a class at seminary, their main area of experties is through spiritual direction and pastoral (theological) counseling. Many priests have catholic psychiatrists and counsellors to whom they can refer the faithful if they have problems (addictions, marriage, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, etc.) that go beyond their abilities as pastors of souls.

I also would say that some spiritual direction is appropriate in the confessional, but if someone needs 10 minutes + they should probably pursue getting a spiritual director and making an appointment for an extended confession and direction time. Many priests get frustrated if they have a busy confessional line and they have someone who wants to “do therapy” for a long time.

 

[JimG]

The chief psychological benefit to the sacrament of confession is not the counseling.
It is knowing that one’s sins are forgiven.

Confession, in other words, is good for the psyche because, like all sacraments, it effects what it symbolizes. It works.

 

[Caesar]

My spiritual director told me something about confession once that has really made me think. He has been a priest for many years (ordained in the early 60s) and he has probably spent more time in the confessional then the average parish priest. He said that he has never heard anyone confess to him that they raped and murdered a child, but if he did hear such a thing he would not be the least bit surprised because that is the nature of humans.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

The chief psychological benefit to the sacrament of confession is not the counseling.
It is knowing that one’s sins are forgiven.

Confession, in other words, is good for the psyche because, like all sacraments, it effects what it symbolizes. It works.

I agree, knowing that one’s sins are forgiven gives an immense spiritual and psychological benefit. My point, however, was that some people do have serious psychological problems that require special therapy that might go beyond the domain of the priest’s competence. Scrupulosity, for example, has a spiritual component (learning what sin is and to accept when it is forgiven)… but it also can have a psychological component (perhaps obsessive compulsive disorder?). A man addicted to pornography can benefit from the (repeated) confessions of his vice, and would benefit spiritually, without a doubt (he receives grace!). He might, however, need the additional help of an addiction specialist because there are psychological aspects of addiction as well. No one should think that a trip to the confessional will always restore their mind perfectly (though it does restore them spiritually). They may need some additional help. God works through both. In fact, I know of an addiction specialist psychologist who uses her discipline AND prayer in a powerful way.