Pope to confessors: be fathers, brothers who offer consolation, mercy

Every confessor should understand that he is a sinner, forgiven by God, and is there to offer his brothers and sisters - even sinners - the same divine mercy and forgiveness he has received, Pope Francis said.

“The religious attitude that emerges from this understanding of being a forgiven sinner than any confessor. He must have is peacefully welcoming (the penitent), welcoming as a father ”would do with a smile. A peaceful gaze and "offering tranquility," he said on March 12. . “Please don't make it a court of law, a school exam; do not poke your nose into the souls of others; (be) fathers, merciful brothers, ”he told a group of seminarians, new priests and priests who hear confessions in Rome's major basilicas.

The pope addressed his speech in the Paul VI hall of the Vatican. Those who participated in a one-week training course offered each year by the Apostolic Penitentiary. Vatican court that deals with questions of conscience and coordinates the work of confessors in major Roman basilicas. The pandemic meant that the course was held online, which meant nearly 900 priests and seminarians close to ordination. From all over the world they were able to take part in the course - more than the usual 500 when the course is held on site in Rome.

The pope addressed his speech in the Paul VI hall of the Vatican

The pope said that the meaning of the sacrament of reconciliation is expressed by abandoning oneself to the love of God. By letting oneself be transformed by that love and then sharing that love and that mercy with others. “Experience shows that those who do not abandon themselves to God's love sooner or later end up abandoning themselves to the other. Ending 'in the embrace' of a worldly mentality, which leads to bitterness, sadness and loneliness, ”he said.

So, the first step to be a good confessor, the Pope said. To understand that an act of faith is taking place before him with the penitent who abandons himself to God's mercy. "Every confessor, therefore, must always be able to be amazed from their brothers and sisters, who, by faith, ask God's forgiveness, ”he said.