Should a priest counsel in confession?

johnnyjones · #1 May 7, '12, 6:37 am

Sometimes a priest will speak to an issue after you confess your sins. He will advise you in how to avoid a certain sin. Some priests don't seem to have any desire to do this. They absolve you and you can tell thats the closure, nothing more to say. Is it a priests prerogative to either counsel or say nothing further after absolution? Are they instructed in a certain protocol ?

In a related issue I read St. Padre Pio refused to give absolution to certain penitents who would not refrain from a particular sin. Obviously it's not common (I don't think) but can it still happen?

Chatter163 · #2 May 7, '12, 6:40 am

A priest may do so at his discretion. It is his perrogative to do so, or not. In some cases it seems a good idea, in others not. Sometimes the number of penitents waiting is a factor. Either way, there is no requirement.

TheRealJuliane · #3 May 7, '12, 6:49 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyjones

Sometimes a priest will speak to an issue after you confess your sins. He will advise you in how to avoid a certain sin. Some priests don't seem to have any desire to do this. They absolve you and you can tell thats the closure, nothing more to say. Is it a priests prerogative to either counsel or say nothing further after absolution? Are they instructed in a certain protocol ?

In a related issue I read St. Padre Pio refused to give absolution to certain penitents who would not refrain from a particular sin. Obviously it's not common (I don't think) but can it still happen?

I find that a lot depends upon 1) the priest's individual style and 2) the way I do my confession. If I am with a priest who is less personable, less interactive, chances are good that I will get my penance and be absolved, period. But for example, Saturday I ended up with the priest who is very good at counseling. I told him it was my anniversary and gave him a little more information, and he did give me some good words of advice and counseling beyond the normal "go and sin no more."

Of course a priest can refuse absolution, if the person confessing does not repent and does not have contrition. What is the point if the person intends to keep sinning? In fact it insults God if someone does this, I believe it is called presumption.

Deo Gratias42 · #4 May 7, '12, 6:59 am

There's a difference between giving some counsel to a penitent and turning it into a counseling session. Some counsel good. Excessive counsel not so good. If you want a therapy session, make an appointment.

michaelmas · #5 May 7, '12, 7:22 am

I would like to know the Reference on Padre Pio not giving absolution.

1. The confessional is secret so how would that come out

2. what if the person had an addiction? I for one confessed the same sin over and over and over again an the grace i received in those confessions chipped away at my addiction and helped me to move to where I am today.

TheRealJuliane · #6 May 7, '12, 7:27 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelmas

I would like to know the Reference on Padre Pio not giving absolution.

1. The confessional is secret so how would that come out

2. what if the person had an addiction? I for one confessed the same sin over and over and over again an the grace i received in those confessions chipped away at my addiction and helped me to move to where I am today.

But you WANTED to change. You were repentant for your addiction, correct? If someone comes in and confesses and is not repentant, then the priest may refuse absolution.

YoungTradCath · #7 May 7, '12, 7:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deo Gratias42

There's a difference between giving some counsel to a penitent and turning it into a counseling session. Some counsel good. Excessive counsel not so good. If you want a therapy session, make an appointment.

This. Spiritual direction is good, but not at a regularly scheduled confession in which case this inevitably holds up the line unnecessarily.

michaelmas · #8 May 7, '12, 7:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRealJuliane

But you WANTED to change. You were repentant for your addiction, correct? If someone comes in and confesses and is not repentant, then the priest may refuse absolution.

Yes, I did. But I also had a priest who told me in confession if I kept coming in time and again with the same sins that I would not be forgiven. I kept going despite what he said to me (which I though sounded a lot like Padre Pio's comment to a confessor) and today from those early confessions I am where I am at. How does a Priest know you know you are not repentent? How does the confessor not know that he or she is just going through the motions? Why bother if you did know that?

johnnyjones · #9 May 7, '12, 7:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelmas

I would like to know the Reference on Padre Pio not giving absolution.

1. The confessional is secret so how would that come out

2. what if the person had an addiction? I for one confessed the same sin over and over and over again an the grace i received in those confessions chipped away at my addiction and helped me to move to where I am today.

Below is one link to the Padrio Pio question. I'm sure you can find much more if you search. In the link below the sin was abortion. I understand your plight with addiction as I have gone through the same thing.
http://thepathlesstaken7.blogspot.co...n-to-some.html

englishredrose · #10 May 7, '12, 8:07 am

All the priests I have gone to via Anglican Confession will give advice. May be not on every sin. But are willing to talk through sins. If I have wanted to focus on one sin/situation then I have tended to focus only on that sin/situation since we have it different to you guys it seems.

ConstantineTG · #11 May 7, '12, 8:14 am

If the doctor just injects you with medicine but doesn't tell you how to avoid getting sick again, how does that really make you get better? You get healed now but get sick again really soon.

Irishgal49 · #12 May 7, '12, 8:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelmas

I would like to know the Reference on Padre Pio not giving absolution.

1. The confessional is secret so how would that come out

2. what if the person had an addiction? I for one confessed the same sin over and over and over again an the grace i received in those confessions chipped away at my addiction and helped me to move to where I am today.

I was thinking the same exact thing. I, too, have an addiction and sometimes I am running in and out of Confession like a revolving door, but if i don't I go on benders so it's best to get Confession and try really hard to avoid the sin, and I do--but sometimes it happens that I fall a couple times in a week. I would sure hate my Confessor to act that way with me.

johnnyjones · #13 May 7, '12, 12:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishgal49

I was thinking the same exact thing. I, too, have an addiction and sometimes I am running in and out of Confession like a revolving door, but if i don't I go on benders so it's best to get Confession and try really hard to avoid the sin, and I do--but sometimes it happens that I fall a couple times in a week. I would sure hate my Confessor to act that way with me.

The link was posted above and further links can be found by a search. I lean towards St. Padre Pios wisdom.

johnnyjones · #14 May 7, '12, 12:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelmas

Yes, I did. But I also had a priest who told me in confession if I kept coming in time and again with the same sins that I would not be forgiven. I kept going despite what he said to me (which I though sounded a lot like Padre Pio's comment to a confessor) and today from those early confessions I am where I am at. How does a Priest know you know you are not repentent? How does the confessor not know that he or she is just going through the motions? Why bother if you did know that?

I think the key word is "repentent" which means to turn away from. Don't get me wrong, I've been in the same boat as you and still often am. But, if the priest observes a continual sin that you have not turned from it is like saying I'll do my thing because I know i'll get forgiven at confession.
The case I read with Padre Pio had to do with abortion so the details should be looked into. As far as a priests not giving absolution to the penetent for other sins I don't know the answer as to how that works because God forgives all sins. Intent may be a factor.

Deo Gratias42 · #15 May 7, '12, 12:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyjones

I think the key word is "repentent" which means to turn away from. Don't get me wrong, I've been in the same boat as you and still often am. But, if the priest observes a continual sin that you have not turned from it is like saying I'll do my thing because I know i'll get forgiven at confession.
The case I read with Padre Pio had to do with abortion so the details should be looked into. As far as a priests not giving absolution to the penetent for other sins I don't know the answer as to how that works because God forgives all sins. Intent may be a factor.

Padre Pio is a unique person, as he could read hearts.