Posted on 03/25/2007 12:52:43 PM PDT by NYer
Why, perfectly.
It's worse then "an excuse" IMHO. It's a counterfeit - at least two ways. It's illicit (I doubt it is a valid sacrament) and it deprives one of the non-sacramental benefits of private confession, which are HUGH, I'm series!
It must be very hard to be a secular priest. So many of them seem to fall into an almost Episcopalian do-it-yourself kind of Catholicism and almost to define themselves by idiosyncrasy and disobedience. I guess there are probably myriads of faithful priests out there. One tends to hear more about the ones who are just such good guys and so down to earth, you know, that they decide, entirely out of generosity and compassion, you understand, that we lay people really don't have to seek after holiness.
Just visited Krakow.
Amazing.
Every church had a few priests hearing confessions all day long - and always people in line waiting.
Its amazing how easy it is to do the right thing and obtain a state of grace when the opportunity is ubiquitous.
When was the last time you went into a church in the USA where it was easy to find a priest hearing confessions?
Having said all that, I was quite surprised to see that Poland has the lowest brith rate in Europe - 1.24.
What constitutes small ? How many families?
One thing about confession is the humility it takes to confess a sin to another.
It's awfully easy to rationalize behavior, but in front of another, confessing out loud make the sin very heavy and real.
One tends not to repeat the sin or the pattern of sin that leads to transgression.
Simply acknowledging a sin personally and giving lipservice to God without confessing seems a pretty easy thing that could become virtually meaningless due to our human ability and fallen nature to rationalize and create excuses for ourselves.
"as an Atheist..."
I've always wondered why atheists feel the need to mock religions if, as I've been told by some, God does not exist.
One would think the very idea of a deity would be so childish to them that it would be as notable as a child playing in a sandbox.
I think atheists protest too much.
Yes, why you're the picture of joy and happiness.
Life really doesn't have to be this way, y'know...
My point was that perhaps the writer of the article (I've noticed very few newspaper people who are actual practicising Catholics) doesn't understand the difference and the nuances between a "communal penance service" and group confession (which is dis-allowed). People on this board get all in a tizzy, calling names, etc. about practices that are poorly represented in the article.
**a "communal penance service" and group confession (which is dis-allowed).**
Except in cases of grave emergency.
Maybe 911 in NYC??
A nuclear attack in the U. S. ??
More and more NEED confession. I hope it's a trend.
<<<"Not all confessions are private anymore, either. Some of the devout partake in communal penance services.">>>
Then their is no absolution therefore no confession therefore no communion.
<<<"The Rev. Michael Manning, pastor of St. Anthony's Church in San Bernardino, said he has seen the numbers rising at weekly confession services every Saturday and for seasonal penance services.
"Now what we're offering before Christmas and Easter is a communal confession time," Manning said. "We have several priests there, and we share a reflection on Scripture, then people will share one or two of their sins." >>>
Penance service yes, sharing one or two sins no, at least in my Catholic Church.
From the Catechism:
1424
It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession"—acknowledgment and praise—of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.
It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace."6
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God."7 He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother."8
Note: "disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament."
Note: "by the priest's sacramental absolution"
In 50 words or less explain why disagreement is a bad thing as you have insinuated.
Uh, you didn't give attribution till you were called on it, Slobo, so I call plaigerizing.
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God."
All this time I thought the High Priest, Christ Jesus did that.
This is not a thread to debate the relative merits of the Sacrament and its proper place, efficacy, etc. And it certainly not a thread for mockery. There is a time and place for debate and a time for discussion. If you were to read GSlob's first post, it has no place on this thread.
It is the internal happiness [i.e. that I'm happy with myself] that counts.
Sometimes your self is the last one to know it. That's actually the precise decision of 'self-denial' as used in discussing alcohol abuse and depression.
Most often when it's not working, it's not working with family, co-wokers, loving relationships. They tend to know it's not working first; self last.
Misguided self preservation I suppose.
#43.
Yes, I too remember spending that much concern and effort on "drinking wisely" and how to "hold my liquor" so it wouldn't be a "problem" then, ya see.
It's an easy thing if you pay attention to those rules and your judgement isn't impaired along the way. Otherwise you might find that it's a progressive addiction.
But so long as it requires you us to devote the proper care and attention to it, it's not a problem.
Is it?
The commandments - with practice, which makes perfect - become one's second nature, to be followed instinctively. Pretty much like any black belt has automated routines.
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