I know protestants who have approched my mother asking if she could help them arrange a confession at our church. Turns out, Lutherans have a very old, seldom used confession practice themselves. It is very similar to what we do.
That being said, I have no understanding of what this article is talking about. At my parish, where there are over 14 hours a week of confession available, it's still hard to get in. It has taken me four separate trips to get in. At my local parish, which I do not attend, confession is only available for one hour on Saturday. Heaven help you if you arrive on time, there will be at least thirty people in front of you.
If you read the excellent article posted yesterday by Frank Sheed - The State of the Catholic Church in the US - you will find the answer. It all boils down to the local ordinary. If there is support and encouragement for Catholics to practice this Sacrament on a regular basis, the pew sitters will respond. In my diocese, many parishes have dropped weekly Confession and instituted semi-annual Reconciliation services. The more 'orthodox' Catholics still adhere to regular Confession.
Yep, and it is making a comeback.