Letters

Obstacles to confession (letter)

M.G.A. De Wolf

Contents - Jul 2003 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The pivotal roles of Saints Peter and Paul - Michael Gilchrist Archbishop Hart defends woman in euthanasia case - Peter Westmore News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Books: AD2000 to distribute Ignatius Press titles in Australia from July - Peter Westmore Homily: Bicentenary Mass celebrated in Sydney - Archbishop George Pell Events: Seeking the face of Christ through the arts: Carnivale Christi goes national - Nicholas Rynne Orthodox Anglicans close ranks to preserve faith - Nigel Zimmermann Catholic Literature: Hilaire Belloc's 50th anniversary: is he 'yesterday's man'? - Br Christian Moe FSC Brisbane Synod ends: Archbishop Bathersby to announce pastoral programs - AD2000 REPORT The concentration camp prisoner who became a Queensland priest - Warren Losberg How to start a parish apologetics group - Mavis Power School sacramental programs: evangelise Catholic families first - Fr John Speekman TMC: Adelaide Thomas More Centre Autumn School a success - Emma Benz Letters: Apostolate (letter) - Fr Adrian Head Letters: Obstacles to confession (letter) - M.G.A. De Wolf Letters: Catholic heritage (letter) - Sue Russell Letters: Church design (letter) - Michael Baradinsky Letters: Lenten program (letter) - Robert Osmak Letters: Success in WA (letter) - Deidre Lyra Letters: New Mass (letter) - Peter D. Howard Letters: Misunderstood (letter) - Elsie Cunningham Letters: New religion (letter) - Br Jim Ward CFC Letters: Catholic visionary? (letter) - Richard Congram Letters: Pell biography feedback (letter) - Mary Lou Corboy Letters: Catholic books (letter) - F. Carleton Letters: Research help - Dolores Lightbody Letters: Conversions (letter) - Margaret Holgate Books: Marriage And Modernization, by Don Browning - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: The Prenatal Person: Ethics from Conception to Birth - Dr Ted Watt (reviewer) Books: Europe: The Exceptional Case: Parameters Of Faith In The Modern World - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: Great books at the best prices! - Anthony Cappello Reflection: The meaning of vocation for baptised Christians - Archbishop Philip Wilson

I read with interest the article by Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM (May AD2000). It is certainly true that "secularisation" is the principal factor in people leaving the Church - as in other denominations. People without religion will, in the end, find they have nothing to live for.

The writer also observes that very few Catholics frequent the Sacrament of Penance, that is, the First Rite, and that there has been a "loss of a sense of sin." I agree. However, the main culprit for this is unfortunately sometimes the priest, the one who has to hear confessions.

Many Catholics are confused about what they have to say; and so apparently are some priests, who tend to take the easy way out. What people need particularly is spiritual guidance.

More priests need to include aspects of this in their sermons, e.g., speaking about evil and Hell, and the fact that God is infinitely loving and merciful. With a better appreciation of these, more of us should be happier, more at peace with ourselves, and more loving towards others.

In turn, this might contribute to a return by more Catholics to regular confession.

M.G.A. DE WOLF
Wilmington, SA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 16 No 6 (July 2003), p. 14