Catholic confession has evolved over time

Seattle Post Intelligencer ^ | November 21, 2003 | VANESSA HO

[Salvation]

**I really think it would be best if the Church adhered to the Vatican and did not cave into instituting touchy-feely stuff to their numbers up.**

And you are totally correct!

[dangus]

They can't accomodate everyone, my left buttocks! What they really mean is that they starve the parish for reconciliation, only offering it between 4:00 and 4:08 in the middle of Saturday afternoon, and when they finally do offer it, they, lo and behold, they can't finish it in a mere half hour!

I believe the priest's inattentiveness to the sacraments is the worst evil to enter the church in ages. And if anyone is shocked that that downplays the pedastery scandals, don't be: I consider the pedastery scandals to be the direct and *predicted* result of the loss of the sacraments.

The most laughable Hollywood cliche is that the priest is *always* in the confessional, at all times, day or night, 24/7... unless he's just been murdered, in which case it's a fair bet the murderer happens to still be in the confessional.

[dansangel]

Thank you ((((sandyeggo))) - and let me add that I am a frequent lurker to the Catholic posts and enjoy your contributions.

[dansangel]

Think of the priest who was on the scene at 911.

Absolutely. There will always be (unfortunately) extenuating circumstances.

[dansangel]

And you are totally correct!

Thank you ((((((Salvation)))))) - for *everything*.

[Fifthmark]

He said Catholics have more options for absolution, because church officials now say forgiveness can come through Mass or private prayer, instead of only through one-on-one confession.

Thanks to this mentality, sacrileges abound. I have a friend who wrongly believes that she gains absolution through her mere presence in the Novus Ordo liturgy and uses that as an excuse to approach Our Lord in Communion withouth confessing her mortal sins first. Does no one understand the destructive nature of novelties?

[FormerLib]

Kind of a confusing article, at least to me. I found it all over the map...

I think it is more reflective of the reporter not really knowing anything about the topic.

[TotusTuus]

So, I usually go to the older ones and really the pastor might not be a good homilist, but he's great in confession.

Umm, I'll be frank. You're setting yourself up here.

[SoothingDave]

Are you talking about Reconciliation Servies where there are five or six priests hearing individual confessions afterwards?

That's perfectly acceptable. It's some areas that have started to offer "absolution" to all without any private confession of sin, through ad hoc group "liturgies."

As others have noted the idea of group absolution is valid only in true emergencies. The last I've ever heard of in my area is when Three Mile Island was happening and some churches in the area held such services.

What needs to be understood is that if the emergency passes, you need to "follow up" with a genuine individual confession.

I find it funny that priests here can get together in neighboring communities to offer 5 or 6 priests at one place, but those in some diocese are "too busy" for such a thing. Yes, priests are busy, but isn't ensuring those in your community are spiritually prepared for Christmas and Easter kinda a big part of a priest's job?

SD

[JesseHousman]

Amchurch doesn't obey Rome.

These American bishops believe that what they possess here is a franchise that they can manipulate any way they wish.

They're so busy empowering priests to hold whatever "service" they desire, or to allow young girls to servce at mass that they haven't time for the important things of saving souls.

Recently I found my bulletin stuffed with three bulletins admonishing parishoners to stop eating Taco Bell products. I wrote the following to the Bishop of Venice (Florida) and have yet to receive an answer.

Bishop John J. Nevins, M.S.W., D.D.

Diocese of Venice in Florida

1000 Pinebrook Rd.

Venice, FL 34292

RE: Diocese’s Action Toward Just Wages For Farm Workers

Excellency,

Picking tomatoes is not rocket science; therefore, the tomato pickers need to seek other employment and, if they’re not citizens, perhaps in their own country.

To encourage the boycott of a company that isn’t in the business of growing tomatoes to force those that are in the tomato business to the bargaining table appears unfair. Further, it reveals the Church to be a needless meddler.

In the undated “letter” issued by the “Peace and Justice Office,” (whatever that means) a reference is made to the similarity of this “movement” and that of Cesar Chavez, an avowed socialist and probably a communist whose goal was to bankrupt grape growers and who couldn’t have cared a fig about those migrant pickers.

If as much effort is expended on the original role of The Roman Catholic Church and less on lending the church to socialist and unfair causes, we’d have a church that has returned to its sacred mission.

I strongly believe that the Church’s role in promulgating programs such as this is humanist and not ecclesiastical. It makes as much sense to get behind a movement to return American manufacturing jobs and attendant manufacturing base back to this country.

Unfortunately, I realize that the Church is following the new wave of political correctness and believes that by encouraging parishioners not to eat tacos It is accomplishing the Lord’s business.

I, for one, as a practicing Roman Catholic believe there is other important business to which the Church needs to attend.

Respectfully yours,

[Desdemona]

Hey, there's a wall in between remember?

[dsc]

"Does no one understand the destructive nature of novelties?"

Yo.

[Salvation]

*everything*.

And (((((Hugs)))) to both of you too!

[Salvation]

** It's some areas that have started to offer "absolution" to all without any private confession of sin, through ad hoc group "liturgies."**

As far as I know this is not allowed. Makes me wonder if the Bishop is aware of what is happening in this parish.

[rogator]

" Makes me wonder if the Bishop is aware of what is happening in this parish."

I would very much like to think he is unaware.

On the other hand, do you really think that a priest would stick his neck out to violate church law in a serious matter without at least the tacit approval of the guy who signs his paycheck?