I am a woman and would rather confess my sins to another woman? Yes or No - Page 6

sandraladeda · #76 Jan 7, '08, 1:34 pm

In Beautiful's defense, I did not see a screen for the confessional from my First Reconciliation (hmmmmn, 1971?) until about 2 years ago. I am in Canada, if that makes a difference. I always just assumed the screen was a thing of the past, and never worried about having one.

In recent years, as I have sought confession at parishes outside my own (such as when i really need confession and it is not scheduled at my parish that day) I have discovered other parishes with screens. I have no real preference, unless I have a particularly embarassing sin to confess (luckily for me, embarassment is a very good deterrent to embarassing sins!

)

I have several very good confessors whom I meet regularly. The pastor at my parish is someone with whom I do alot of parish work. I can speak with him about parish business, then ask him if he has a few minutes for my confession. We step into the privacy of the confessional, I make my confession, and moments after we leave, we are back to our original relationship, no tension or embarassment over the confession.

I am a woman, by the way....

RosalieM · #77 Jan 7, '08, 1:53 pm

So what are you saying? "Bless me mother for I have sinned?

yikes! If I were to commit a sin I'd be embarrassed to tell; then I'd go to the anonymous confessional booth with the visiting priest. Luckily, as someone else said here, the impending embarrassment of confessing some sins is an effective deterrent.

I'm a woman. I work for women attorneys. I believe men and women are equal but different. And that difference makes me not want to confess to a woman. A woman would never be able to impart dealing with something "like a man". I'm single and will probably remain so. I treasure the advice I receive from my confessors, my pastor and other priests. If I want female advice, I'll call a chum.
Also, I'll second that Jesus Christ is a male; please let's not mess with that when the confessor is "in persona Christi".
p.s. There is always a screen to choose for confession. If your parish is missing one; please say something for the good of all concerned.

mary bobo · #78 Jan 7, '08, 2:00 pm

If one wants to "confess" to a woman, I suggest a female shrink.

lukewarm · #79 Jan 7, '08, 2:02 pm

I'm not a woman but I think at times it would be easier for a man to confess to a woman, women are generally more caring and easier to talk to in that regards. A man opening up to another man can be very difficult and awkward.

Gertabelle · #80 Jan 7, '08, 3:34 pm

I always confess to my women friends about stuff. But that isn't a sacrament -- it's girl talk, crying on a shoulder, boosting one another up, providing a warning through example...

When I need absolution, I follow the direction of the Church and talk to the priest in the confessional. Am I more comfortable confessing to my women friends? Of course! But comfort isn't really the point. As another poster said, just knowing I'd have to confess a certain sin redirects my actions sometimes.

Gertie

LittleFlower967 · #81 Jan 7, '08, 3:55 pm

I read your post and I would just like to say to you that I understand the need to feel connected when you are discussing your most private issues.
Although, I wonder if you have missed the point, the Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation can only be obtained through Our Lords Holy Ordained Priests. This sacrement is not only about the confessor (you), it is to show repentance, honor and praise to God Himself, ... Respect His Holy Priests!

1. Call the church office anonymously and ask about confession behind a screen, then go ASAP, or

2. Contact the Diocese and make them aware, then find somewhere else to go ASAP.

3. Ask him to help you to make a good confession,.. he will and he should not be suprised at this, he may even welcome it.

Smile, and treat him as if you were speaking to The Lord Himself... because you are.

palmas85 · #82 Jan 7, '08, 4:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beautiful

1ke I'm guessing that you are a guy.
I haven't seen a screen in a confessional in well over a decade.

I really don't believe this since every confessional I have been in in the past twenty years or so offers face to face or private confession. More than that, if I am not mistaken that is a requirement.

I am willing to bet this post was designed just to stir up controversy and nothing more.

Sorry, just call me uncharitable.

dulcissima · #83 Jan 7, '08, 8:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmas85

I really don't believe this since every confessional I have been in in the past twenty years or so offers face to face or private confession. More than that, if I am not mistaken that is a requirement.

I am willing to bet this post was designed just to stir up controversy and nothing more.

Sorry, just call me uncharitable.

Even though every confessional I've ever been in has a screen, I have heard from people that I know and trust that this is not available in all areas.

I think that there is enough to this woman's post that it really is not very reasonable, or charitable, to assume that her point is to stir up controversy about screens in confession.

Cavaille-Coll · #84 Jan 7, '08, 10:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfinpure

Plus, since we are really confessing to Christ, it only makes sense to have a male Priest standing in His stead. You know?

I was wondering when someone would get to this! This is the real point.

Jenny Z · #85 Jan 8, '08, 5:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beautiful

These words of yours struck a chord in me and reminded me of a passage I recently read in Virginity, A positive approach to the celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven by Raniero Cantalmessa.

“Set your biological differences aside and focus just on the fact that you are both baptized Christians. You are both of the same kind.”

So – do I set biological differences aside and sit together as children of the Resurrection?
Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:67-69

After all this I finally voted 'no' in the poll - I was #100 to vote no.

Awesome. It's so cool how some things just strike a chord with you... I'm the same way, I can hear a ton of arguments, and one will just stick out to me.

Thank you for starting this thread, it's a good discussion.

BeluvdLily · #86 Jan 8, '08, 2:46 pm

I would definitely rather confess to a man, a priest, that is. I definitely do not feel that I am confessing to "just a man". I have only been Catholic for a year but the times I have been to confession, I have found the priests to be so compassionate and so understanding! I couldn't have asked for anything more. It is always a beautiful, cleansing experience. I also feel that I look at the priest as a fatherly figure and feel right in going to him with my confession. I would not feel that with a woman.

I am just more comfortable with men in positions of authority, I suppose. Prefer male doctors, police officers, etc.

My confessions have been face to face because that is what is regularly done at our parish. I would feel more comfortable behind a screen but really don't want to ask and feel that perhaps overcoming my anxieties of face to face are good for me. I'm sure I could hunt around for a parish with a screen but would just rather do everything at my parish.

Amie