Open Confessions

[Bailey2]

there's a thread on that already somewhere ............

[Bailey2]

Good reason to always use the screen. big grin

OK, Brigid, could you help me here?  What exactly is "perfect" vs "imperfect" contrition?  And why would the latter require a screen, while the former not?   
I honestly don't know; as I said, simply heard the words floating around there.  Figure now there must be something technical I don't know.  Thanks.

[Brigid]

Ok, Bailey - from the CCC (Catechism):

1452 - When it arises [repentance, sorrow for sins]* from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.

1453 - The contrition called "imperfect" (or "attrition") is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin's ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain the forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.
_________________________________________________________________________________
*my words are in the brackets [ ].

The reason for wanting the screen with imperfect contrition is because one is confessing at least partially due to the fear of h____ therefore some embarrassment for the sins might be present . With perfect contrition one would not care if the confession were face to face or wherever since one is feeling the sorrow of their sins totally and not caring about human respect at all. My comment was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, too.

[Bailey2]

thank you. 

[Brigid]

thank you. 

[Shin]

 

I stumbled across this today, while looking for another subject: 


Can. 964 §1 The proper place for hearing sacramental confessions is a church or oratory.

§2 As far as the confessional is concerned, norms are to be issued by the Episcopal Conference, with the proviso however that confessionals, which the faithful who so wish may freely use, are located in an open place, and fitted with a fixed grille between the penitent and the confessor.

§3 Except for a just reason, confessions are not to be heard elsewhere than in a confessional.

- Code of Canon Law (1983)

The older Canon Law of 1917 (I  normally prefer it of course):

Canon 908

§1 The proper place for hearing confessions is a church or public or semi-private oratory.

Canon 909

§1 The confessional seat for hearing the confessions of women must always be placed in an obvious and conspicious spot and generally [be located] in a church or public or semi-public oratory assigned to women.

§2 The confessional seat must have inserted a thin, fixed perforated screen between the penitent and confessor.

Canon 910

§1 The confessions of women should not be heard outside a confessional seat except in cases of illness or other true necessity, and following the precautions the local Ordinary decides are appropriate.

§2 The confessions of men may be heard licitly even in any private building.

[Patricia]

§1 The confessions of women should not be heard outside a confessional seat except in cases of illness or other true necessity, and following the precautions the local Ordinary decides are appropriate.

That about sums it all.

[Bailey2]

Shin,  I am confused between the different Canons and what years, etc.  It all seems to run together and in one case contradict each other.  Could you re-post or edit so the years are separated and the Canons are closer together under the year....... or something like that?  Thanks.

but I have to add that these days ..... the stringent rules specifically for women would need to also be put in place for men, teens, and children.

[Patricia]

'Women and priests have to be as distant from each other as two opposite poles, if not in actual distance apart, at least in heart and will. Let women come to the church, to the confessional, if they have need of a priest; let them meet outside these places, if it is necessary; but let it be as rarely as possible and with proper precaution; for the rest, let them keep their own places and look after their own business; and when a necessity to speak occurs let the priest remember: Sermo brevis cum mulieribus et rigidus est habendus, and as Saint Bonaventure says: "let thy conversation be dignified and serious".'

St. Joseph Cafasso, 'The Priest, The Man Of God, His Dignity and Duties'

[pebbles]

During Lent here in the Philippines, we have what we call KUMPISALANG BAYAN (roughly translated... confession for the nation).  It means a certain day is given where everybody who wants to go to confession can come. I think our church do this so that it gives the people a chance to at least comply with the Church requirement to at least go to confession once year.  Usually this is set on Holy Wednesday and/or Holy Thursday ... either the start will be in the morning or in the evening.  One time I went to this it was Thursday starting at 7 pm.  Our church can probably hold around 500 to 700 people, I think    One pew can sit 8 to 10 people. There are, I think 15 pews in one row and there are 5 rows of pews.  We only have one confessional box.  The priest is in the middle and 2 people at each side.  One priest cannot hear the confession of 500 people.  So our church had... 6 or 8 priest in different places in the church.  Where the priest is sitting, a kneeller pew is beside him for the one who will confess.  The priests were placed far enough so that the confession of the person will not be heard by those who are waiting for their turn.  I was in the 5th row. 

Since our priest here can celebrate mass in government offices, there are times also during Lent that the priest would give confession in the office and in a room, people would be waiting for their turn and the priest would be just far enough from the others for privacy of what the penant will confess.

I also prefer to confess in a confessional booth... but at times it is not always available.