Lol ... that must have been quite an experience. I had my share as well but that was a long time ago. I also recall reading about the confessions at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. Apparently, it is not uncommon for protestants and Jews to avail themselves of the possibility to shed their sins, even if they could not receive absolution.
That’s interesting! Charlotte Bronte tried that in Brussels when she fell in love with her married mentor in the girls’ school she taught at. Priests being made of stronger stuff in those days, she didn’t get a lot of sympathy and was escorted out - pronto.
On the grief healing weekends that I used to help with many protestants would go in and talk with the priest. Also many divorced individuals came back to God through this wonderful Sacrament.
Great article and description of what the priest really does do.
God bless.
For those who believe in Christ, their sins have been absolved, forgotten, nailed to the Cross, separated as far as the east from the west, etc as per His Word.
The need we all have to unburden ourselves from the shame of our sins is a common trait regardless of religious affiliation. As Christians, we are ALL ministers of the gospel of reconciliation through the grace of God.
To presume God’s grace and absolution of sins is reserved to only Catholics is wrong. Even if a person uses a Catholic priest to confess their sins - though we can go directly to God and he will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness - that priest should not hold back “absolution”.