Do you go to Confession ?

[ukok]

As a former Anglican, I did not. Nor did any of my fellow Anglicans at the parish I attended...at least, to my knowledge. Do you go to confession? If so, how does it differ to the Catholic Sacrament of Reconcilliation?

This link is a page that outlines Catholic Confession

Thankyou

God Bless.

 

[TomUK]

At the church i grew up (i'm currently at university) they operated confession by appointment and it was never something i thought i needed to go to. Now i've grown up a bit (and also become increasingly less mature ) it's something i really want to go to but just don't have the courage to.

I think all Anglican Priests, be it a high or low church are compelled to hear confessions but it's something that is more encouraged the higher you get.

 

[Cjwinnit]

I don't know of anyone who did but I remember what I've heard of it. Generally (as most parishes lack confessionals) it's done kneeling at the altar rail with priest in tow. I'm also led to believe a blessing is offered rather than absolution but don't hold me to that.

 

[benedictine]

The rules for Confession are the same. Veil of Secrecy, and a priest is required to hear one, should a person desire to make confession. As mentioned above, it is usually done at the altar rail, rather than in a confessional.

 

[ukok]

thankyou for responding

Do you think that if there were regular times for Confession/or Confessionals in more parishes, that it would be availed of by the parishoners with more frequency/greater enthusiasm?

God Bless.

 

[benedictine]

Yes. Not a lot, but some. Me, for example. I wanted to begin the practice of at least doing it once a year, preceeding Easter. But, as I can only recieve Confession adn Absolution in Anglican churches, and only two offered, I was unable to go due to time constraints.

 

[Albion]

As a former Anglican, I did not. Nor did any of my fellow Anglicans at the parish I attended...at least, to my knowledge. Do you go to confession? If so, how does it differ to the Catholic Sacrament of Reconcilliation?


Thankyou

God Bless.

Sure. Confession of sins, with absolution, is a standard part of every Holy Communion service. I suppose that also answers the question about a comparison to the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation.

There is no formal provision in Anglicanism for routine Confessions as separate from corporate worship.

 

[Albion]

I think all Anglican Priests, be it a high or low church are compelled to hear confessions.

No, no priest is compelled to hear a private confession.

 

[PaladinValer]

The Sacrament of Reconciliation of a Pentient is performed at every Mass before celebrating the Liturgy of Holy Communion.

Personal confessions are optional, though they are welcome. I personally try to make a formal confession at least once a month.

 

[Albion]

The rules for Confession are the same. Veil of Secrecy, and a priest is required to hear one, should a person desire to make confession. As mentioned above, it is usually done at the altar rail, rather than in a confessional.

Actually, there aren't any rules. However, there are clergy who abide by what Roman Catholics or Orthodox Eastern clergy do, or a combination...which was, I think, the essence of your answer.

 

[ukok]

thankyou once again for your responses.

God Bless.

 

[trooper]

I have been in Anglican churches where private confession was a regular habit for most of the members. I personally find confession to be a painful, embarassing and really good for me thing to do. I have never heard of a priest who would refuse to hear one. Penance is given, absolution pronounced, and the a blessing is given. The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken (BCP, p.446).

 

[TomUK]

No, no priest is compelled to hear a private confession.

you sure about that? I can't find anything to hand but i'm sure i read somewhere that this was this case (or course, we are talking ECUSA / COFE here, but i don't think that should make a difference). I will do some research

 

[gitlance]

Every priest has the power to hear confessions and pronounce absolution. For many Anglicans, confession is a regular part of their spirituality, and something that is very important and very reassuring.

We Anglicans have this saying pertaining to Confession:

"All may, some should, none must."

You may check out the liturgy for Confession/Reconciliation beginning on page 448 of the BCP.

 

[benedictine]

I will specify that the form for Reconciliation of a Penitent on pg 448 refers to the 1979 ECUSA book of Common Prayer.

 

[Father Rick]

Personally, I hear confessions as needed-- I am available an hour before each mass, but many times no one needs to confess. Of course we are a small parish...

I also make confession with a local RC priest every couple of months as needed ( of course this could be more frequently depending on which parishioners I am having to put up with at the moment ).

 

[AveMaria]

I do, as well.

 

[Albion]

you sure about that? I can't find anything to hand but i'm sure i read somewhere that this was this case (or course, we are talking ECUSA / COFE here, but i don't think that should make a difference). I will do some research

I've never heard of such a thing, and there's nothing in church law that would require any optional service or practice. As we know, bishops can lean on their presbyters to do almost anything, regardless, so there may be some situation somewhere in the world....

However, require and generally so? No.

Incidentally, it has been pointed out that the American BAS, called the BCP of 1979, does have a form for "Confession." But no BCP of any church in the world did so until that came along, I believe. If anyone has other info to the contrary, of course, it would be interesting to know.

 

[Colabomb]

As a former Anglican, I did not. Nor did any of my fellow Anglicans at the parish I attended...at least, to my knowledge. Do you go to confession? If so, how does it differ to the Catholic Sacrament of Reconcilliation?

This link is a page that outlines Catholic Confession

Thankyou

God Bless.

My priest hears confession if someone wants to go to confession, but we don't have set times, it is a person by person basis.

We are a small parish.

 

[Albion]

My priest hears confession if someone wants to go to confession, but we don't have set times, it is a person by person basis.

We are a small parish.

Yes, but isn't the point that hearing the concerns of a penitent who cannot calm his own conscience by a direct act of contrition to God is permitted, as an extraordinary practice, to confess to a presbyter privately? That is the Prayer Book approach to this, not something regular, required, or expected. I would hope that your pastor doesn't just hold open times of the week when confessions are expected.