Thursday, March 28, AD 2024 7:12pm

PopeWatch: Confession

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Michael Paterson-Seymour
Michael Paterson-Seymour
Monday, March 31, AD 2014 8:25am

I was once told the story (in France) of an Englishman who committed a murder. He got away with it, but his conscience troubled him and so, one Saturday evening, he went to the local church and asked the vicar (who was very High Church) to hear his confession.
“Of course, of course,” said the delighted incumbent, as he led him into his study, “Now, just talk to me as if I were your own father.”
“Father, I’ve committed murder…”
“What! And you come here to tell me this! I am not sure it is not my duty as a citizen to hand you straight over to the police, but it is certainly my duty as a gentleman not to allow you to remain in my house a moment longer.”
So, the murderer ran from the house in despair and eventually he found himself in the outskirts of the town, where he saw a little, tin Catholic chapel with the lights on. He went in and saw a queue of people waiting for confession. After some time, when all the people had left, the priest came out of the confessional and went to kneel in the front pew.
The murderer went and knelt in the pew behind him and coughed.
“Father, I’m not of your faith, but I would like you to hear my confession.”
“I am listening, my son.”
“Father, I’ve committed murder.”
There was a pause, which, to the man, seemed like an eternity and then the priest asked gently, “How many times, my son.”

Philip
Philip
Monday, March 31, AD 2014 10:59am

MPS-
Good story.

Forgiveness from God is an extraordinary gift..a new life!

Thank God for this sacrament.

Mary De Voe
Monday, March 31, AD 2014 12:09pm

“I am listening, my son.” “Father, I’ve committed murder.” There was a pause, which, to the man, seemed like an eternity and then the priest asked gently, “How many times, my son.”
.
This would be funny if it weren’t so necessary.

Clay
Clay
Monday, March 31, AD 2014 9:08pm

I unfortunately doubt this will translate into respect or increased utilization of the sacrament. Most people like it when leaders humble themselves, because they already feel superior to the putative leader – or at least not in need of one.

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Wednesday, April 2, AD 2014 8:13am

[…] American Catholic Be Open to the Light of Christ, Encourages Pope – Kerri Lenartowick, CNA PopeWatch: Confession – Don. R. McClarey JD, The American Catholic Schedule for Pope Francis’s Holy Land Visit […]

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