Decline in Confessions
Here’s an interesting article on Slate about the declining popularity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Personally, it’s been maybe 6 years since my last confession. I ran into the problem of not being 100% in line with the Church teachings. Essentially, I had something of a paradox where to be forgiven of my sins, I had to first be sorry for them. (Of course.) But what if my conscience told me that certain acts I had done were not actually sinful, even though the Church said they were? Doesn’t sin have to be willful? What if we willfully do something that the Church says is sinful but our conscience tells us is okay— or is at least conflicted over? Essentially, I’m conflicted enough to feel that I’d be holding back if I went to Confession and didn’t list these things— but then I could not bring myself to repent for them.
The article hints at this problem but doesn’t go into it in depth.
Add to that my general disgust at the way the church has handled (or, more accurately, not handled) the molestation scandal, and there’s six years with no Confession. I wish I could go with confidence that my soul would find peace after Reconciliation — a wonderful feeling I remember from when I was younger— but the last time I went I felt my Reconciliation was incomplete, that the experience left me with nothing but a storm inside.
Also, I forgot the Act of Contrition, but I suppose I can look that up online now.
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The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments. Of these, only reconciliation and the eucharist are things you’re supposed to do with any regularity.
The eucharist isn’t so bad. You sing, say some prayers, listen to Bible readings, listen to some preaching, and share the body and blood of Christ with your fellow Catholics. Us “cradle Catholics” are brought up going to mass each week, and it becomes sort of a habit. For me, connecting with other people is an important part of being a Christian–if I’m not connected with my fellow parishioners at least once a week, what kind of Catholic am I?
Reconciliation, on the other hand, is unpleasant in parts. After examining your conscience, you have to admit all your most private wrongdoings to another person. I’ve never had a priest give me a hard time, of course, but I never look forward to speaking my sins aloud.
I grew up in the suburbs, far from the church, and our family didn’t have a habit of driving into town for reconciliation on Saturday afternoons. As an adult, I’ve failed in creating my own habit.
Jesus said the two great commandments were to love God and love your neighbor. So if I’m connecting with people by going to mass, but not reconciling myself with God also, that’s not very good.
I’m surprised that confessing your sins on-line (which he mentions in the article) would have any popularity. Sacramental value aside, confessing to a real person has great psychological impact. After confession, not only do I stand clean in God’s eyes, but in my own.
Yeah, Reconciliation is a lot tougher.