Confession Boom Attributed to Pope Francis Effect

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 9/2/13 | John Bingham

[marshmallow]

Roman Catholic priests are reporting a marked rise in the number of people attending confession since the election of Pope Francis – including young people and some who had not attended Church for decades.

An informal survey of clergy based in cathedrals across England and Wales found that two thirds had noticed an upturn in numbers taking part in the sacrament, something many of them attributed to a papal “bounce”.

The Church said that the greater willingness by people to “unburden” themselves and deal “issues” than in the past had also given the centuries old practice a new relevance for some, including those who might be put off by public services.

The Rt Rev Kieran Conry, the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, said a more informal approach to confession than in the past had also helped draw younger people – including increasing numbers who even attend with a smart phone in one hand, making use of a range of special confession apps to guide them through the process.

He joked that as a child he had been rather less diligent - even making up sins up to get through confession.

The polling of cathedral deans or priests-in-residence found that around a third had seen an increase which they attributed to a combination of the impact of the new Pope and the continuing impact of the Benedict XVI’s visit to Britain three years ago.

[Salvation]

**Roman Catholic priests are reporting a marked rise in the number of people attending confession since the election of Pope Francis – including young people and some who had not attended Church for decades.**

Great news.

[Ransomed]

“This summer there has been a marked difference in demand compared to last summer … We don’t usually offer confessions in August but have done this year.”

Not sure why, but I doubt they have a good reason. As far as the US, I think if a parish of a few thousand families is offered confession an hour before the vigil Mass 51 times a year, it might not demonstrate that confession is all that important.

FReegards

[livius]

One of the problems in the US has been that parishes never offer confession - and then complain that no one goes to confession!

Offering confession once a week for 30 minutes on a Saturday afternoon is ridiculous. It used to be offered on Saturday mornings, but also before any mass. All it takes is one priest to come and sit in the box for about 15 minutes before each mass.

They used to sit there peacefully reading their breviaries while they waited for people to come in, and many of them actually regarded it as a sort of reflective moment of the day.

[fidelis]

Nothing against Pope Francis, but I think the rise in people availing themselves more of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is more due to the young priests that came up under the influence of Popes JPII and Benedict. Our new pastor and his associate are in their early 30's. He built a brand-new, beautiful Old World-style confessional and preached the value of Confession from the pulpit. One of them is in the confessional for 12 hours a day on the weekends (including during Mass) and several times during the week. And there is ALWAYS a line.

Confession is Beautiful - At St. Annes Parish

http://www.catholicsun.org/2012/10/16/confession-is-beautiful-at-st-anne-parish/

[Biggirl]

Also there are parishes in which the priest will also do confessions by appointment as well.

[Biggirl]

God Bless the priests from both the Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI Emeritus eras!