Using screen during confession

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hamburglar

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I know that my parish has a screen that you can use if you do not wish to confess face-to-face. I have been many times before, but I have never used the screen. Is it wrong to use the screen because I do not want to be embarrassed?

I think that the scared and nervous feelings I get before going can actually help me greatly in appreciating the sacrament, but is it okay to use the screen this time?
 
It is always OK to use the screen. It must always be provided; it is the face-to-face procedure that is optional.

Some people, as a private devotion, use the face-to-face option as a way of increasing their humility or humiliation during Confession. This has never been taught by the Church, although as a private devotion, it is also OK.

The Church wants to remove as many obstacles as possible to Confession. If using the screen is helpful to you this time or every time, it’s just fine to use it.

Betsy
 
Yes, it is always okay to use the screen. It is your right to do so. It is perfectly okay to decide to use the screen even if you have confessed face-to-face in the past. Sometimes it even helps us to remember that we are actually confessing to Christ, not just to the priest.
 
hamburglar said:
I know that my parish has a screen that you can use if you do not wish to confess face-to-face. I have been many times before, but I have never used the screen. Is it wrong to use the screen because I do not want to be embarrassed?

I think that the scared and nervous feelings I get before going can actually help me greatly in appreciating the sacrament, but is it okay to use the screen this time?
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that’s why it is there, because you have the option. do you really think the option would be offered if it was wrong to use it?
 
baltobetsy said:
It is always OK to use the screen. It must always be provided; it is the face-to-face procedure that is optional.
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One thing to be aware of, is that not only is it optional, BOTH the priest and penitent have to agree. So it the priest feels uncomfortable with ‘face to face’ confession, he is under no obligation to offer it and has a right to refuse to do so.
 
I find I am more at ease when using the screen. Makes for a better confession.
 
I like the screen–it helps me visualize myself talking directly to Jesus (through the priest of course).
 
hamburglar said:
I know that my parish has a screen that you can use if you do not wish to confess face-to-face. I have been many times before, but I have never used the screen. Is it wrong to use the screen because I do not want to be embarrassed?

I think that the scared and nervous feelings I get before going can actually help me greatly in appreciating the sacrament, but is it okay to use the screen this time?
Click to expand...
I’m old school too and prefer the screen for the exact same reason as you. Its humbling enough to say these things aloud.
 
I go face-to-face with our parish priest, and when I go to the Shrine, I go in the confessionals with a screen between us. I’m cool either way.
 
I think the screen helps me focus on Jesus also, and think confession is humbling either way (screen or no screen).
 
baltobetsy said:
It is always OK to use the screen. It must always be provided; it is the face-to-face procedure that is optional.
Click to expand...
Amen! Thank you for reminding us – I think many folks may believe that the screen is just a benighted holdover from the Middle Ages or something.

I prefer the screen just because it seems more appropriate to confess one’s sins while kneeling. Besides, sitting face to face seems so . . . therapeutic.
 
didymus said:
Amen! Thank you for reminding us – I think many folks may believe that the screen is just a benighted holdover from the Middle Ages or something.

I prefer the screen just because it seems more appropriate to confess one’s sins while kneeling. Besides, sitting face to face seems so . . . therapeutic.
Click to expand...
 
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