LOL!
I understand the writer's concern about a penitent's having no opportunity to be anonymous - although if you're active in your parish, the priest may well recognize your voice, even if he can't see you.
On the other hand, it doesn't bother me to tell my sins to Father face-to-face. It's not like he was assuming I was perfect before that! Even if I got up in front of the congregation and announced, "I yelled at my kids last week, nagged my husband about his overspending, and last Thursday, I had too much wine and gave myself a headache," the most likely response would be, "What, you think you're the Lone Ranger or something?"
I take it from your comment that you never left the confessional with a black eye, then? I have come dangerously close! Guess the old reflexes still are in working order and I ducked when I should! Irish priests can get pretty riled up...
When I go to confession, I too don't mind being face to face with my parish priest. After all, there is the seal of confession, with the pain of excommunication on the preist should he feel it necessary to even think about dropping a hint about what was discussed.
I couldn't think of a safer enviornment for confessing one's sins.
What ever floats your boat.
However, I would be willing to bet that one of the reasons for the small amount of people going to confession these days, is the lack of anonimity involved in going to confession.
Personally, I find it embarresing to say my sins and so I much prefer the dark little confessional, as I know that the priest and I are the only ones around.