[te lucis]

1. You're behind a screen; total anonymity* - Here in upstate NY, that is not always the case. The more 'common' practice is to sit across from the confessor.

Anonymous confession is a must-have option, per Canon Law.

Yes, that is possible but the 'stranger' is just that - someone who is prescribing a penance based on a lack of understanding of your personal situation The better solution is to seek out a confessor who understands your personal situation and can provide spiritual guidance.

I must disagree. A confessor is a judge, not a therapist. The penitent accuses himself. Priests have graces by virtue of their Holy Orders to understand your personal situation based on what you tell him. The only barrier to that grace would be a willful concealment on the part of the penitent.

Lol! When I returned to confession, this was indeed the case. The priest was also the pastor, bent on introducing liturgical dance to his parish, something that had been banned by the bishops.

Again, you're not chained to any one confessor. When you find a great confessor, you'll realize it was worth the search, and the commute.

[NYer]

Anonymous confession is a must-have option, per Canon Law.

Never said it wasn't.

I must disagree. A confessor is a judge, not a therapist. The penitent accuses himself. Priests have graces by virtue of their Holy Orders to understand your personal situation based on what you tell him. The only barrier to that grace would be a willful concealment on the part of the penitent.

Again, I never suggested the priest be a therapist. You totally misinterpreted what I said.

Again, you're not chained to any one confessor. When you find a great confessor, you'll realize it was worth the search, and the commute.

That was my point.