Pope Francis recently broke with protocol, something not too unusal for this pontiff, but this time PopeWatch suspects this departure from the norm will elicit cheers from almost all Catholics.
Typically, the pope goes to confession in private, so his decision was a departure from the past.
Go here to read the rest. Leading by example is very important and PopeWatch hopes that many Catholics who have cheered the Pope will now confess like the Pope.
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.”
MPS-
Good story.
Forgiveness from God is an extraordinary gift..a new life!
Thank God for this sacrament.
“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.
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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