What is the confessional screen for?

[stations1]

I am on an RCIA team. Last week the topic was confession. Our priest said that the original reason for the confessional screen was so that the women would keep their hands off the priest and priests would keep off the women. I find this very disturbing. Can it possibly be true?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

No. The reason for the confessional screen was and is to preserve the anonymity of the penitent. Your priest’s given reason was so unnecessarily and inappropriately salacious that I recommend reporting the matter to his immediate superior (the pastor of the parish if he is an associate, the bishop if he is the pastor).