Privacy in Confession

The consideration of the practice of Individual Confession continues this week. Lately I have been discussing potential obstacles that make it difficult to take advantage of the opportunity. So far we have touched on unfamiliarity and the fear of being exposed. This week I want to touch on another difficulty, and that is the matter of privacy.

I have previously mentioned the confidentiality of the confessional. That is, the Confessor is duty bound to respect the “seal of confession”. This means that the Pastor cannot share or disclose what has been confessed, even if demanded to do so by civil law. I myself view this as a part of my ordination vows.

Not only is the confession kept confidential, but the fact that a confession was heard is a private matter. So when a penitent comes to a Pastor to make confession, care is taken to keep the nature of the business private, along with what is confessed. This requires being able to be in area affording privacy, especially that voices are not overheard.

But discretion is also needed. Not just any private place will work. And especially with the opposite sex, there needs to be enough privacy so voices are not overheard, but not so hidden and out of view as to lack prudence and invite misunderstanding. One can quickly see the beneficial nature of the confessional booth with two separate compartments and yet located in a public area.

I like to hear confessions before the altar in the worship area. People walking by outside, or happening to enter, can see two people talking before the altar. If and when someone walks in, the confession may need to be paused momentarily. Because of the limited traffic around our present location, this has not been a big hindrance. If the penitent wishes to be accompanied and have someone nearby, but out of voice range, this is another way for the necessary privacy, and yet protection for all involved.

Since You Asked…

What does the Pastor’s Stole signify? (the stole is the colored strip of cloth that loops around the back of the neck and hangs from both shoulders)

The stole represents a yoke such as would be used to link and employ an ox with a plow or cart. When a work animal is yoked to a task, that animal comes under the rule and guidance of its master. As Christians we are to be yoked to Christ (cf. Mt. 11:28-30). We are to fear, love, serve, and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pastor’s stole is therefore not only a sign of ordination in the Lutheran Church, but it visibly reminds the whole congregation of our servant hood to Christ.