'Catholic' confession is good for the soul - says Archbishop of Canterbury

The Telegraph ^ | 10-9-2013

[markomalley]

The Most Rev Justin Welby advised churchgoers that it could be an “enormously powerful” experience to unburden themselves to a confessor, even if it was not always a “bunch of laughs”.

His comments came as he addressed the heads of other churches –including the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England Wales, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols – about divisions between Christians.

Although Archbishop Welby comes from the evangelical wing of Anglicanism, his personal spiritual director is a Swiss Roman Catholic priest, Fr Nicolas Buttet, and he is a strong advocate of Catholic worship styles.

He spoke of being part of a wider “catholic tradition”, adding: “I’ve learnt over the last 10 years about the great sacrament of reconciliation: confession.

“It is enormously powerful and hideously painful when it’s done properly … it’s really horrible when you go to see your confessor – I doubt you wake up in the morning and think, this is going to be a bunch of laughs.

[markomalley]

Leaving aside the potentially contentious issue of valid absolution, and leaving aside the current moral condition of most of Anglicanism...

He is absolutely right that confession is good for the soul.

[Sacajaweau]

but you don’t need a priest...

[Tax-chick]

I agree.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

I grew up Catholic, now Southern Baptist. I never felt I needed to talk to a middle man when I could go straight to the Boss.

[Old Yeller]

I remember when I was a Catholic, I wasn’t about to tell the priest what I really did, so I just reported “venial” type sins (when our school class had to go to confession together) and asked God directly for forgiveness. I haven’t been part of that cult for over 30 years now.