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Catholics Return to Confession Focused on Grace, Not a Get-Out-of-Hell-Free Card
Catholics nationwide embrace confession as a path to mercy and healing, with priests noting increased attendance and a shift to more meaningful, conversational experiences.
- On Wednesday, U.S. Catholics are embracing confession anew, with parishes across the United States reporting an uptick and adjusting schedules, including Wednesday-night confessions.
- Scholars note that a rapid, steep decline in regular confession occurred in the late 20th century, driven by cultural factors like psychology, sexual mores, and clergy abuse scandals, while seminaries emphasized moral theology manuals.
- Parish priests say confession now focuses on God's mercy and love, describing it as `therapeutic` and emphasizing healing language while penitents seek encouragement and relief.
- For confessors, administering the rite restores penitents' ability to receive Communion and brings consolation, according to priests and the Rev. Patrick Gilger.
- Legally, the `seal of the confessional` prompts the Vatican to resist legislative efforts, while priests and formation programs emphasize creating comfortable spaces for penitents confronting teachings like contraception.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Catholics return to confession focused on grace, not a get-out-of-hell
The Lenten period for penance started this week with Ash Wednesday , and some Catholic priests are happily bracing for long lines outside the confessional. The faithful across the United States are embracing anew the sacrament that has shifted from embarrassing recitation of sin to cathartic quest for grace. “They come to confession feeling as if they are terrible, but … they are displaying the fact that they want to be good,” said the Rev. Patr…
Associated Press News
Catholics return to confession focused on grace, not a get-out-of-hell-free card
The Lenten period for penance started this week with Ash Wednesday and Catholic priests are happily bracing for long lines outside the confessional.
Catholics Return To Confession Focused On Grace, Not A Get-Out-Of-Hell-Free Card – 710am KURV
By GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO Associated Press The Lenten period for penance started this week with Ash Wednesday, and some Catholic priests are happily bracing for long lines outside the confessional. The faithful across the United States are embracing anew the sacrament that has shifted from embarrassing recitation of sin to cathartic quest for grace. “They come to confession feeling as if they are terrible, but … they are displaying the fact that th…
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