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Confession Isn't Therapy, Church Warns

Priests told to get tough on sinners instead of providing counseling sessions

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2009 4:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Vatican plans a campaign to remind priests that the confessional isn't a psychiatrist's couch, the Guardian reports. A handbook will be issued to emphasize that sinners are in confession to be given penance, not counseling sessions. The number of Catholics going to confession has slumped in recent years and church officials believe getting tough might win back those who miss traditional practices.

"An ever decreasing number of people see a clear difference between good and evil, between truth and lies and between sin and virtue, and therefore fewer are taking confession," a Vatican official said.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Pope Benedict XVI waits for the faithful inside a confessional in the St. Peter's Basilica. (AP Photo/)

A priest awaits confessions in a church in Sicily. (©emilio labrador)

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About 30 years ago the church started calling penance 'reconciliation,' which to some Catholics might sound more like therapy than a sacrament - Francis Rocca, Vatican correspondent for Religion News Service

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

Cat-Lover

Jun 4, 2009 12:51 PM CDT

Why does the Catholic church continue in its fast and furious drive to return to the 14th century? With the exception of Pope John the 23rd, this century has seen Pope's cannot accept that even their God moves contemporarily in the "fullness of time." What may have required penance/remorse in the past may not today and, as such, the ability of witnesses to God's grace to counsel is the strongest weapon the church has in its hands. Claiming that the distinction between good and evil, right and wrong is dissolving gives more power to the need to counsel rather than expect people to search for answers in themselves. The Catholic church errs again....

Doctor-Zaius

Jun 4, 2009 11:10 AM CDT

You can't put the Genii back in the bottle. Once people start to see through your magic show there is no going back.

Nwambe

Jun 4, 2009 10:55 AM CDT

Waitaminnit... So your idea is to get MORE strict to get people back into the Church? *Slow applause* You guys are geniuses. The idiot kind.

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Confession Isn't Therapy, Church Warns