In my experience as a priest, confession face-to-face can be just as sincere as those that are anonymous. In fact, some of the «best» confessions that I hear are of those penitents who wish to confess to me face-to-face and know me. I hate it of course — as their confession of sins only shows up my sinfulness.
So I debate the statement that you have made Jaques. Each person is different, and have their own preferred way of being: Most confessionals these days are set up so that face to face or anonymous can be used at the penitent’s choice — and that is what it is all about.
Cheers,
Vince Carroll MSC
St Paul’s Catholic Church
