Confession and the confessional.

[2ndRateMind]

So, I get where confession is coming from. The first stage of repentance involves recognising where one's faults lie, and beginning to make amends.

But I have my doubts about the confessional. The idea that a priest should judge me at my worst irks me some. It's not as if Catholicism was front and foremost about what we might now consider immoral, such as the possession of inordinate wealth, or activities that contribute to climate change.

Father: 'Have you anything to confess?'
Me: 'I have had lustful thoughts'
Father: 'Three Hail Mary's every day 'til your next confession'

Then there is the idea that confessions should be so private, so that the only people that should know the content should be the penitent and the confessor. How many crimes have been committed, I wonder, because this stricture forbad disclosure to the appropriate authorities?

Best wishes, 2RM.