What about the sins that are 'retained'?
These bogus "confession" practices don't have the safeguards (or the validity) of the Real Thing.
And THAT is supposed to replace hearing the priest, acting as Jesus, say our sins are forgiven? rme
**What about the sins that are ‘retained’?**
And what do they say and do to show that they are sorry for their sins and firmly resolve to amend their ways?
Some of the things cited seemed more showmanship that sorrow. Just my opinion.
This is a start and I don't think that we, as Catholics, should be knocking it.
A GOOD Protestant confession (not withholding sins) should at least count as a perfect act of contrition if done in the right spirit... God's grace is certainly capable of working outside the visible Church to aid our separated brethren.
If anything, we should be encouraging the practice, as it brings those that practice it one step closer towards communion.
Those go into the file cabinet, of course.