Oh, no: priest uses smart phone in confessional

I had the following related to me by a new commenter recently.  This is simply their allegation, I have no other evidence.  The allegation is that a priest at a parish in McKinney was using their smart phone while hearing Confessions.  That is not to say that they were talking on the phone, but there are many other avenues of communication with a smart phone – text, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, the whole panoply of social media.  I have reviewed the matter with several knowledgeable lay people and two trusted priests.  First, the allegation:

A priest was hearing my confession the other day – one of the gravest confessions of my life – and I could see his iPhone glowing behind the screen, and his thumb moving across it. (I haven’t shared this on social media – in fact this is the first time I’ve said it “out loud.”)

There was much more in the comment left, but that was the only bit about the confessional.  I was quite scandalized when I first read the comment, and replied with one of my own that was probably a bit too strong.  I see no reason why the commenter would be making this matter up. I am taking the allegation at face value, but do bear in mind that it is only one side of the story.

But, having discussed the matter with the aforementioned faithful souls and reflected on it for some time, and assuming the comment was genuine and related the facts correctly, I can say the following (the conditions were, auricular Confession with the penitent separated from the priest by a screen that could be somewhat seen through.  I have no idea if at this parish the priests can ID the penitents, but the penitents can apparently see something of what the priest is doing):

• This is an egregious abuse of charity.  Even if the priest was only looking up some matter related to the case of the penitent (dubious), it gives the appearance of being disinterested at a most critical and sensitive time.  It is terrible pastoral practice.  If the priest does feel it necessary or helpful to research some matter while in the confessional, he should make what he is doing plain to the penitent, to assuage them of scandal.
• The risk of scandalizing the penitent is enormous.  For all the penitent knows, the priest could have been texting someone saying “get a load of what this person just said!”  I pray that is not the case, I think it unlikely, but to operate a communications device of any kind while in the confessional casts serious doubt on the sanctity of the Sacrament and the validity of the seal.  Again, disastrous pastoral practice.  It could probably never be proved that the priest was communicating with someone – or that he was not – but to even give the impression that such could be occurring could be devastating to many souls.
• This matter has apparently come up in the Diocese of Rome and the diocese issued a dictum of some kind banning priests from using cell phones in the confessional.  That should be clear, I think, in every diocese.
• One can only imagine the hurt and violation a penitent would feel in this situation.  There they are, pouring their soul out, and the priest gives the impression he is at the least giving them something less than his full attention.  That could cause wavering souls, souls who have perhaps been away from the Church and the Sacrament for a very long time, to never return.  What an incalculable loss that would be.
• A letter should be sent to the Diocese of Dallas reporting the incident.  If the commenter reads this post, be charitable and focus on the scandal and hurt this cell phone use caused you.  You could send a copy of the letter to the priest/parish in question – the Diocese will almost certainly forward your report to the pastor of the parish in question, regardless.
• This is not a matter that will result in laicization or any kind of heavy disciplinary action against the priest – unless there was clear evidence the seal had been violated – but it is very important and certainly should be conveyed, charitably, to local authorities.  One would hope that a letter or other communique by Bishop Farrell would be made to the priest in question and that he be advised to stop with the smart phone in the Confessional.

Confession is such a crucial, helpful, but at the same time personal and sensitive Sacrament, its sanctity must be guarded with great vigilance.  Over the past several decades, Confession has been downplayed and ignored in so many dioceses and parishes. I know this is something Bishop Farrell has made a point of trying to rectify in our own Diocese of Dallas. So I am certain Bishop Farrell would take this matter very seriously and respond appropriately.

Confession is the great, forgotten Sacrament of our post-conciliar age.  So many Catholics erroneously believe that Confession is either no longer necessary or doesn’t apply to them – apparently, they are sinless, like our Blessed Mother.  Even among the few Catholics who always satisfy their Sunday obligation, Confession is quite rare.  Few receive Confession even yearly, let alone every week or two as many Saints prescribe.  To scandalize those few who do avail themselves of this beautiful and utterly vital Sacrament is simply unconscionable.

I made this post more public because I think it a matter that is deserving of wider attention and consideration.  Let us not see smart phones in the confessional (I know some priests already object if they observe penitents using smart phones or other such devices).  I think this is a matter of common sense and decency.