[broadsword]

MarineMomJ: "Hey, do the N.O. priests order penance anymore after "reconciliation"?"

ArrogantBustard: "Yes. Of course! Did you really think the answer was "no"?"


Many of them do not, my friend. At certain parishes in my diocese, they tell you to just sit and be thankful for His mercy. That's not penance. One priest told me in the confessional, "All that matters is that you feel better about yourself." I assure you that that is an exact quote of what he said. I told him I wanted forgiveness, grace, absolution and penance. He seemed bothered by the whole thing. I got no penance to do.

[MarineMomJ]

That reminds me of an incident that happened to my son about a year ago.

He was sent to Arizona for some training (Marine Corps) and went to confession at a N.O. church. When he finished confessing his sins, the priest told him he was finished, that he was absolved. My son asked where was his penance? The priest told him he didn't give out any penance, that the "absolution" was enough.

This didn't sit well with my son, and he got into a big debate outside of the confessional with the priest. As soon as the priest heard he was a Trad, he laid into him. My son remained calm and respectful, more than this poor excuse for a priest deserved.

I'm not saying all priests behave that way, but that is an illustration of what does go on in some churches.

MMJ