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TRUE CONFESSION
Belton also considers that a confession should be oral and
includes this as a characteristic of correct confession. Naturally
there are exceptions. A deaf and dumb person must be given
an opportunity to write his confession, as must also one with a
serious impediment of speech. The person ‘hearing’ the
confession reads the written statement, which is then
destroyed.
Belton’s recommendations must not be accepted without
qualification. It is true that, preferably, confession should be
oral, but in many cases other than those he mentions a written
confession can be recommended. In no circumstances should
a person making confession be forbidden to use notes. This need
not hinder the spiritual adviser from putting any questions
necessary to clarify a situation or to ascertain that the sinner
is truly repentant.
The next characteristic of a correct confession is that it should
be made in private; in secret, not in public. What special |
arrangements should be made to ensure this may be a matter of |
opinion. There is much to be said for making confession in a |
church, but as this question is not relevant to the correctness of
a confession it will not be discussed here. The important thing
in confession is secrecy, and as far as possible external conditions
should emphasise this.
Secrecy is in no way endangered when the priest and the
person confessing are standing face to face. In some circles,
however, a kneeling position is insisted upon. It is certainly an
advantage; on the other hand it is important not to be too
formalistic. The person confessing may suffer from a physical
defect which makes the posture irksome or there may be
some other hindrance. Nevertheless it is advisable,
whenever possible, to indicate that confession must be made in
meekness by adopting a kneeling posture. The penitent comes
as a sinner seeking forgiveness of the God whom he has
offended.
When a confession is made in a church it is appropriate to
kneel at the altar. Another aspect of confession becomes
apparent in these circumstances; the confession is made with
very special sincerity and earnestness as a prayer directed
F 81
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