Auricular Confession

RileyG · Aug 23, 2024

I actually own a United Church of Christ (UCC) prayer book that mentions auricular (private) confession to the minister followed by absolution (declaration of forgiveness/pardon).

I know confession is considered a "Catholic" thing by many including the media, but the Orthodox Churches, Anglian, Episcopalian, and Lutheran all offer it.

How common is it in UCC?

Is it an anomaly?

Thanks

FaithT · Oct 11, 2024

RileyG said:
I actually own a United Church of Christ (UCC) prayer book that mentions auricular (private) confession to the minister followed by absolution (declaration of forgiveness/pardon).

I know confession is considered a "Catholic" thing by many including the media, but the Orthodox Churches, Anglian, Episcopalian, and Lutheran all offer it.

How common is it in UCC?

Is it an anomaly?

Thanks

I just read this and I don’t know for sure but I think it’s uncommon. I’ve tried the UCC a few times and was under the impression they ask for forgiveness directly to God.

RileyG · Oct 11, 2024

FaithT said:
I just read this and I don’t know for sure but I think it’s uncommon. I’ve tried the UCC a few times and was under the impression they ask for forgiveness directly to God.

Yeah, per my late friend, that was my understanding as well. Although in the UCC prayer book which I own, it does mention confession followed by words of pardon

FaithT · Oct 11, 2024

RileyG said:
Yeah, per my late friend, that was my understanding as well. Although in the UCC prayer book which I own, it does mention confession followed by words of pardon

I did confession once when I was Lutheran but it didn’t feel right. it felt like I wasn’t absolved and it was too casual. Face to face in some room, not a confessional.

RileyG · Oct 11, 2024

FaithT said:
I did confession once when I was Lutheran but it didn’t feel right. it felt like I wasn’t absolved and it was too casual. Face to face in some room, not a confessional.

Interesting.

FireDragon76 · Mar 23, 2025

RileyG said:
I actually own a United Church of Christ (UCC) prayer book that mentions auricular (private) confession to the minister followed by absolution (declaration of forgiveness/pardon).

I know confession is considered a "Catholic" thing by many including the media, but the Orthodox Churches, Anglian, Episcopalian, and Lutheran all offer it.

How common is it in UCC?

Is it an anomaly?

Thanks

I don't think it's very common.

FireDragon76 · Mar 23, 2025

It's actually normal among Lutherans now days to not use confessionals for the rite of absolution. And it's a trend among some Catholics, too. It isn't considered informal, per se. Orthodox Christians also don't use confessionals for the most part, either.

FaithT · Mar 23, 2025

FireDragon76 said:
It's actually normal among Lutherans now days to not use confessionals for the rite of absolution. And it's a trend among some Catholics, too. It isn't considered informal, per se. Orthodox Christians also don't use confessionals for the most part, either.

I prefer a private confessional and being behind a screen.

RileyG · Mar 23, 2025

FaithT said:
I prefer a private confessional behind a screen.

I don’t blame you. Me too.

FireDragon76 · Mar 23, 2025

RileyG said:
I don’t blame you. Me too.

I think Catholics tend to have a view of the rite that isn't in keeping with Protestant theology. In fact, I would urge Catholics or former Catholics to approach the rite with caution, and not bring any prior expectations to it. The grace available in the rite of absolution is in no way special or better, it is merely offered through a different means.

Often, in contemporary usage, it is used in association with pastoral counselling. In fact counselling is often used in place of things like penances in other traditions.

FaithT · Mar 23, 2025

RileyG said:
I don’t blame you. Me too.

Sometimes our priests know who I am. We have some fabric or drape next to the kneeler and screen and for some reason there‘s been a gap in the fabric where the priest can see me enter the confessional. Still, I feel more comfortable going behind the screen. I have done face to face but I prefer the screen.

Valletta · Mar 24, 2025

FaithT said:
Sometimes our priests know who I am. We have some fabric or drape next to the kneeler and screen and for some reason there‘s been a gap in the fabric where the priest can see me enter the confessional. Still, I feel more comfortable going behind the screen. I have done face to face but I prefer the screen.

Our parish went back to having the normal confessions behind a screen. I remember once on a special day when we have visiting priests say confession, typically face to face, a line formed and so our pastor offered to fill in with face to face. I took him up on it. As I was leaving I saw he asked everyone else in line and could not get one more taker.

RileyG · Mar 24, 2025

FireDragon76 said:
I think Catholics tend to have a view of the rite that isn't in keeping with Protestant theology. In fact, I would urge Catholics or former Catholics to approach the rite with caution, and not bring any prior expectations to it. The grace available in the rite of absolution is in no way special or better, it is merely offered through a different means.

Often, in contemporary usage, it is used in association with pastoral counselling. In fact counselling is often used in place of things like penances in other traditions.

Yes. A Benedictine priest in college would essentially turn confession into a counseling session and interrogate me. Not going to lie, it did make me very uncomfortable at first.

FireDragon76 · Mar 25, 2025

RileyG said:
Yes. A Benedictine priest in college would essentially turn confession into a counseling session and interrogate me. Not going to lie, it did make me very uncomfortable at first.

I've only gone to confession in an Episcopal church years ago. I have mixed feelings about those experiences. Good preaching, sound doctrine and catechism is far more important.

JM · Mar 28, 2025

I attend Confession & Holy Absolution as frequent as possible. If my Pastor had regular times instead of by appointment I would go more often.

RileyG · Mar 28, 2025

JM said:
I attend Confession & Holy Absolution as frequent as possible. If my Pastor had regular times instead of by appointment I would go more often.

same here (as Catholic)

Auricular Confession

Veteran

Well-Known Member

Veteran

Well-Known Member

Veteran

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Veteran

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Veteran

Well-Known Member

Confessional Free Catholic

Veteran

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency