Confessionals Out, Pagan Art Gallery In (Catholic Caucus)

cmr ^ | January 11, 2010 | matthew archbold

[NYer]

Oh boy. I don't even know where to start with this one. This story is just a microcosm of so much that's wrong with so many of our "Catholic" universities. The Jesuit run University of San Francisco has removed a number of confessionals and replaced them with a "pagan" art gallery.

Yup. You read that right. And they say they're doing it as a "testament to St. Ignatius of Loyola." You know the St. Ignatius whose Exercises state:

In consequence, having made a better Confession and being better disposed, one finds himself in condition and prepared to receive the Blessed Sacrament: the reception of which is an aid not only not to fall into sin, but also to preserve the increase of grace.

Yeah. Good ol' Iggy didn't talk much about the benefit of gawking at pagan art before receiving the Blessed Sacrament. But maybe it was implied.

You know it's one thing to rip out the confessional. It's another to blame St. Ignatius for it.

The great California Catholic Daily writes:

On November 3, 2008, the online newsletter of the Jesuit California province announced the opening of an art gallery in the eastern alcove of St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco.

Said the newsletter, “St. Ignatius Church, a Jesuit parish in San Francisco, celebrated the opening of its new Manresa Gallery on September 18. Formed by four interior alcoves, which previously housed confessional boxes, the gallery is a permanent testament to St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Composition of Place… In keeping with Ignatius’ understanding that his Constitutions or governing rules for Jesuits would include old principles and new ones, the gallery’s philosophy is to include both traditional religious works and contemporary art in a series of changing exhibitions. Commissioned pieces will enhance the dialogue that take places on a larger scale within the ritual space of the church. Manresa Gallery is open on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. and by appointment.” The article was written by James R. Blaettler, S.J., Associate Pastor of St. Ignatius.

A few weeks ago, I decided to go to St. Ignatius to take a look for myself. While the museum was closed, I was able to look through the windows to get a glimpse of what’s inside. It was a surprising experience to find an art gallery inside a Catholic Church. It became even stranger when the art displayed was not Christian, but pagan.

Firstly, who calls them "confessional boxes?" Maybe they wanted to make them sound unpleasant like some sort of tool used in the Inquisition?

The exhibition is called “The Arts of Java and Bali: Objects of Belief, Ritual and Performance.” So now instead of a confessional you've got a "hermaphroditic wooden figurine, with female breasts and a male erection. Another is a hairy demonic figure with a women’s face protruding from its mouth. Another is a brightly colored, scaled, demonic figure."



Confused? Don't worry. Fr. James R. Blaettler, S.J., Associate Pastor of St. Ignatius is here to explain it all. Ready?

Fr. Blaettler said, the motivation was to “enhance the dialogue that take places on a larger scale within the ritual space of the church.

I don't even know what that means. I honestly don't.

Now to be completely fair the church still retains one confessional. But I'd bet it doesn't see a lot of use. Why would it when the school is sending the message to the students that hermaphroditic wooden figurines are more important than a confessional?

HT A Woman's Place

[mlizzy]

What a wonderful comment, and with all the hoopla in the Religion Forum lately regarding the Catholic threads -- not marked with [Catholic Caucus] and the venom spewed therein (by just a few folks--seems their comments could easily be eliminated!), it's all the more refreshing to see. Your love for Confession is obvious and your attitude shows that it works as well! Funny comment about, "bless me your Eminence ...," not to mention you "lead a pretty boring life.":)

My usual confessor for years (ever other Tuesday at 10) was an Opus Dei priest that was a tremendous confessor (he even once gave me "no penance," and it's a standing joke from my husband -- I still, however, go by what I "heard" -- that my hearing at that point must have deteriorated sufficiently as he never knew of anyone receiving no penance -- husband is a cradle Catholic, I, a convert -- and he thought it was a miracle; I wink and say, "seems I only have one more to go!"), but I no longer can confess to this priest even though he is still hearing confessions every Tuesday at our church. It's a little painful to see his name on the door and know I can't go in in face-to-face fashion.

Our confessionals, unlike yours, however, do not even allow face-to-face anyway. I've discussed it briefly with our new very wonderful priest, but he's young, and not fully aware it seems of disabilities, and the angst and disappointment they can cause in situations like this ... but I'll keep up my vigilance and take your words to heart and see if I can't get something set up for not just me, but all the disabled that have been put off by this slight (in my mind) of some of the parishes. I do respect the Orders that will not participate in face-to-face, but maybe they could somehow just "hear" the confession; I have no trouble talking, and then come up with some kind of further resolution from there (writing down the penance on an Etch a Sketch-ish type thingey -- or there's always "texting!" so it could easily be removed by the priest), because I would love to be "in line" at St. John's.

Just recently, I have thought possibly my disability was given as a gift so that I could pursue this and eventually bring more disabled to the extraordinary Sacrament of Confession at all parishes, not just the ones that have face-to-face available. Confession is definitely underused, and yet it removes boulders of pain and sorrow, as you (and your fab priests!) know, freeing us up to look Jesus in the eye ... well, sort of.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

as an old timer Catholic i feel Confession is a good teaching tool for the younger set-those from grade school on up ‘til about confirmation time. If an adult Catholic is going to confession to confess in breaking the 10 Commandments then one would think perhaps this individual may need counseling.
No offense against you but I DO think the Roman Cath Church needs to re-vamp this time-honored outdated tradition.

[mlizzy]

as an old timer Catholic i feel Confession is a good teaching tool for the younger set-those from grade school on up ‘til about confirmation time. If an adult Catholic is going to confession to confess in breaking the 10 Commandments then one would think perhaps this individual may need counseling. No offense against you but I DO think the Roman Cath Church needs to re-vamp this time-honored outdated tradition.

No offense taken, but surely there are more sins than the "Top Ten" that oldsters [like myself] get involved in. Even coming on FreeRepublic and giving a bunch of crap to the "instigators" that deserve it on the "Religion Forum," but nonetheless shouldn't be the recipients of my "anger," is a sin, yet I don't think "standard" counseling is needed for my *clears throat* affliction. And Confession, in and of itself IS counseling ... counseling from Our Lord via suggestions, prayers, and forgiveness, don't you think?

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

thank you for the lovely pic esp the angel.

i needed to see that angel today!

[mlizzy]

thank you for the lovely pic esp the angel. i needed to see that angel today!

You are very welcome. You can click on the angel, and it will enlarge to nice size.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

Do you believe in angels their powers?

[mlizzy]

Do you believe in angels their powers?

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say on angels. (I've included 334-336 above.)

Me personally? Do I believe in their powers? Just this past Sunday, at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago (photo taken Sunday--click for close-up of altar), I attended their Tridentine Mass (this is not our usual parish, by the way, but is quickly becoming so) and during the homily (which is longer than our usual church's Novus Ordo Mass homily), because I could not make out what the priest was saying because of my hearing loss, I became somewhat distracted and began looking for angels at the altar. While I did not, in fact, *see* any angels, I knew they were there as much as I know anything on this earth, and, yes, I do *indeed* believe in their powers.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

ANGELS!

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

scary looking?yes,demonic? NO,only if you give those figures your uber-intentionality of demonism.

[Cronos]

San Fran, burn in heck. Is there any website for this Jesuit Church (and hey, I LIKE Jesuits, am from a Jesuit school and univ) for us to complain and send them nasty emails as well?

[AnAmericanMother]

Re: confession of other than mortal sins - from my handy little iPieta (an iPhone app) Examination of Conscience:

"Confession is not just for mortal sins. Frequent Confession is an easy and powerful means to overcome venial sins and lukewarmness."

Archbishop Sheen on frequent Confession

I probably appreciate the Sacrament more because, as an Episcopalian, I didn't have it. While they theoretically permit an individual, auricular confession, in practice it isn't done. All you have is a General Confession during the service. The contrast is unmistakeable - it is way too easy to say, "Yup! I'm a sinner!" and get a general absolution without having to ponder what manner of sin and how many times committed . . .

And in the comic relief department, here's a hilarious video of the "Automatic Confession". It's in Italian, but it's got subtitles. It sort of crystallizes my fear of being overheard . . . .

. . . and I think some of those censorious ladies MIGHT hang around our church . . . hope I'm not one of them!

[pbear8]

This church is USF, Uni of San Fran. Find their website and complain to Father President.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

“iPieta”-IPhoneapp? omg i’m waaay behind

[AnAmericanMother]

It's dirt cheap too -- $1.99 or $2.99, can't remember which. Includes both EF and OF calendars, with links to the readings, the entire Bible in English and Latin, the entire Baltimore Catechism (as well as St. Thomas's Catechism and the entire Summa Theologica), lives of the saints, every prayer you ever heard of, a lot of them with audio so you can listen while you're driving, a complete guide to Confession . . . and on and on and on.

You can also get the Breviary on line, and the entire Liber Usualis with scores and searchable calendar (THAT is pricey by iPhone standards - 24 bucks).

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

thanksbutnothanks!

[AnAmericanMother]

It’s got a downside. Those same little old ladies who were looking down their noses at Sig. Urrutia think that I’m texting in church!