The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-07-13

confessions. The discretion 40 to tho choice
Of confessors which the Prayer Book gives,
should NOT DO left to the applicant, but be linn
| tied. ~ = s'.L,e.L o,Io-l7 81 ~ indi
The Bishop Of London was opposed to action.
What the petitioners asked for was not what
is allowed In the Prayer Book. This refers to
the exceptional case Of o burdened conscience,
but they ask for . license for confessors to Eo-
ceive hsbitual confession as one of tho most
important, or even absolutely necessary, means
The Bishop of Gloucester thought it neither
proper nor possible TO- give licenses as the pew,
TONERS requested. The confession provided
exceptional, and in all cases where provision
is made for it, it is under exceptional circum-
stances. Habitual aud compulsory confession
| is contrary to the mind of the Church Of Eng
land. 80
The Bishop of Ely did not approve of the
licensing of certain persons to be confessors,
| but thought there should be some check put
upon persons who constituted themselves con-
fessors of q whole neighborhood.
The Bishop of Rochester thought that some
measure should be adopted to repress the
| teaching of not a few clergymen in regard to
, confession, which is contrary to the spirit Of
the Prayer Book, and to restrain the practice.
The evil was spreading widely and very fast
The Bishop of Peterborough stated the doc
fession. The Church of England does not en-
join it. To set up an order of confessors, and
yet reject the doctrine of penance, is incon-
sistent, and brings with it double evils. The
overcome by better teaching, not by legalis-
ing an order whose origin is due to that error.
The Bishop of LANDAU regretted that there
because of the general belief that confession
was practised in those houses.
" The motion was then made by Bishop Eli
colt, that committee be appointed to take the
subject into consideration. In secending tho
motion, the Bishop of Ely remarked that he
did net think there was any body of Christ
ians in the world where person would be at
Of olf
without any authority but his own viii. But
ut the present moment, the Church of England
is at sea upon this question: He did not think
that the law mind of the Church had yet
been fully explained, and was in favor, there
fore, of q committee. ~
The Bishop of Chichester doubted the wis
dom of committee. In his own diocese con-
fession was largely prevalent. People were
awakening more and moro as to the state of
their souls Tho Wesleyans had confession,
though in an imperfect way, and in the Church
than ever. Repression he thought impossible,
but guidance was possible. We cannot re-
strain the right, but we can declare our mind,
and show the true ground on which the Church
of England places confession.
The Bishop of Bangor considered the in
crease of confession in the Church of England
q symptom that it was passing from deadness
to greater spiritual life. In babitual confess
he would make between the use and abuse of
confession was, that in the former were en-
braced those under deep distress of mind, and
in the latter, those not specially burdened
with sin, and who had no definite intention of
forsaking the evil habits they confessed. He
thought something might be done to check
abuses, and should support the motion.
The Bishop of Hereford believed the posi-
ton of q confessor to be very perilous one.
He was glad that the Bishops were taking the
matter into consideration.
The Bishop of st. Asaph thought the was
u real want which was not fully met by the
Church of England, but it might be met with
out the confessional. If an opportunity could
be given, from time to time, TO the members of
a parish to meet their pastor, and have full
religious instruction and free intercourse there
would be little need for private confession.
The Bishop of Lichfeld did not believe that
the Church gives any commission to young
men to assist in any way in habtual comics,
sion. He would not ordain young men if he
thought he was entrusting them with such q
function. The power of the bishop was very
limited, but he would be justified in revoking
license when he found young man trans
crossing the limits laid down in the Prayer
Book.
the language used about what is called "sa-
Ornamental Confession" He thought it was
leading to q most serious error. The whole
end of the Sacrament of Confession was a
purely Romish one, and could not be suffi-
GENTLY repudiated. When person was really
grieved ON account of sin, and wished to find
counsel and guidance, he would say to him,
" You are not confined to your own parish
you are at liberty to find any Clergyman in
whom you can trust" There was 4 consider
able number of young men at college of such an
age and state of life that it would be an ines-
Unable benefit for them to be able to go to
some wise, kind, experienced clergyman who
would be able to help them in their troubles.
The Bishop of London did not believe that
the kind of confession spoken of in the petit
ton sprang from real want. It might be the
want of q diseased spiritual life, and should
not be encouraged, but be sternly repressed.
This confession was the system of going to q
priest, from time to time, or at definite inter-
walls, not as a means of quieting the con-
science, but as the ordinary means Of obtain
ing siren 9Th to live gedly life
The president closed the discussion, cons graf
ulating the House upon its uDanimity All re-
pudiated the practice of habitual confession,
and considered the .sacramental view of con-
fession as most serious error. 1t is plain
duty to exercise all the authority We have to
check the increasing evil. We are bound as
bishops to watch its growth, and as soon as
possible suppress it. The number of petition
ers is but small, though there are, doubtless
more who agree with them. Still, the whole
number is but small minority OF the clergy
of the Church of England.
The motion for a committee was then unani-
mOuSlV alODted.