Is confession a thing of the past?

From Marion Jordaan, Pietermaritzburg

As I prepare the children of my catechism class for the sacrament of reconciliation before their First Confession, I wonder at the value of the sacrament for these youngsters today.

Gone are the days when “Father” was at the church at 16:00 for Confession on a Saturday afternoon. It was once common to see families practising/receiving the sacrament together.

Perhaps this is why, in most cases, it is only when the children receive their First  Communion that they go to Confession again and thereafter at Confirmation.

It would seem that for most Catholics, confession, absolution and penance have become a thing of the past – or have they?


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