I had a ten minute interview with Jumoke Fashola on BBC London this Sunday morning. The topic was confession – what it means, how to go, and in particular why many Catholic churches are reporting an increase in the number of people going to confession over the last few months.
You can listen to the interview here, my bit starts at 3:08:40. [It’s available until 14 Sept].
This is from the Telegraph article by John Bingham that got the discussion going:
An informal survey of clergy based in cathedrals across England and Wales found that two thirds had noticed an upturn in numbers taking part in the sacrament, something many of them attributed to a papal “bounce”.
The Church said that the greater willingness by people to “unburden” themselves and deal “issues” than in the past had also given the centuries old practice a new relevance for some, including those who might be put off by public services.
The polling of cathedral deans or priests-in-residence found that around a third had seen an increase which they attributed to a combination of the impact of the new Pope and the continuing impact of the Benedict XVI’s visit to Britain three years ago.
Respondents spoke of having to make special arrangements to accommodate extra demand for confession this summer.
One respondent replied: “Some people are coming in saying I don’t know what to say or do because they haven’t been since they were at school or for 30 years, and are asking for help with the words to say.”
Another said: “This summer there has been a marked difference in demand compared to last summer … We don’t usually offer confessions in August but have done this year.”
Bridges and Tangents 
This has, surely, got to be a good thing both spiritually and psychologically. I have seen, through my work, an increase in the numbers of people wishing to ‘open up’ about their problems and to unburden these on another person. It will also be good for the Church as the increase in people confessing will, in its’ turn, expose them to the influences of the Church and to Gods’ mercy.
Today at Mass we were taught about Saint Peter Claver, he was a man who cared for the slaves when no-one else did, he would feed them, water them, be kind to them, and welcome them when they first left the boats. Others were hostile towards the slaves, but Peter would minister unto them and offer these people Mass, and he would sleep with them. And despite others cruelly treating and committing horrendous offences against the slaves, he still encouraged and offered them confession – because he knew of the importance, beauty and personal spiritual freedom which the sacrament would bring to those otherwise prisoners.
I think today’s story perfectly captures the beautiful essence of the grace of confession.