I'm psychic!

[telerib]

The Washington Post reports that fewer Catholics are attending confession. They're not really sure why; one theology prof thinks it's because of the moment of penance that comes at the start of Mass now ("I think people misunderstood and thought they no longer had to go to confession" - uh... nobody I know, bud) or the "confessional" turn our culture has taken. You can pour out your troubles to a therapist or your blog now.

"[Priests and theologians] also worry that people are forgetting that confession involves more than, well, confessing. 'It's about coming to your senses, asking God's forgiveness, demonstrating if we did wrong we need to do something to prevent that,' Irwin, of Catholic University, said."

Two years ago, I finally got that. Note that I was raised on 13 years of Catholic school, and I was paying attention in Religion class. The actual higher purpose of Reconciliation is not well-served by either the Church's presentation or practice of the sacrament. Catholics aren't going to Reconciliation because, in general, it makes them feel lower than dirt rather than uplifted and at-peace. Worse, they think that's the point.

Comments

Really?

[(Anonymous)]

Catholics aren't going to Reconciliation because, in general, it makes them feel lower than dirt rather than uplifted and at-peace.
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It's unfortunate if some people feel this way. If they do, I would think they do not have a true understanding of the sacrament. My husband is a revert to the faith and confession was actually what helped to bring him back. He does find it uplifting and it does make him feel at peace.

[telerib.livejournal.com]

It would be more precise if I had said, "Catholics who do not go to Reconciliation do not go because..."

My point is exactly that a true understanding of the sacrament is sadly lacking. I've met many more people who understand it to be a guilt trip meant to shame them into correct behavior than those who, like your husband, understand it as a way to unburden themselves and receive absolution for what they repent.

In my post from two years ago, I theorized that it was because Confession is introduced to Catholics at a fairly young age, and it's typically taught with a greater emphasis on the Examination of Conscience (shaking out every possible bad thing you've done) rather than the Repentance (what do you feel bad about having done?). It's where you learn the classic Catholic Guilt Trip.

Perhaps, as an adult coming back to the faith, your husband discovered for himself or was exposed to a more sophisticated understanding of Reconciliation? I think, as adults, we've had a longer life and a better chance to experience some time when we repented of something and had someone withold forgiveness from us. The value of Reconciliation becomes much, much clearer then.

I think it could be taught that way to the young as well, but at least *cough* years ago in my diocese, it surely wasn't. Confession was hands-down the least popular activity for all us Catholic school kids, from grammar school through high school - even Holy Days of Obligation and First Fridays weren't as bad.

[(Anonymous)]

I think your points are good ones. I admit to dreading confession when I was younger, but as I've gotten older, I have come to love it. Why is it? Probably several reasons. As a child, my view of God was more authoritarian. In certain respects, I suppose that is true on some levels still, but now I view God as more of a parent whose love for me is unconditional. I go to confession not out of fear of Hell, but because I am truly sorry that I have hurt Him and others. I also recognize the need for His grace in my life to improve. I can't do it on my own. Age, experience, and continuing education in the faith have brought me to this point.

Thanks for your thoughts. I enjoyed reading your perspective.