The bishop of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Monsignor Xabier Gómez García, has encouraged Catholics to rediscover the sacrament of confession and has asked priests to facilitate access to it in parishes.
In his Sunday letter of October 25, titled «The sacrament of reconciliation», the Dominican prelate reminds us that «Catholics can and must turn to the sacrament of forgiveness» and warns that «it would be a mistake to think it is something outdated».
Gómez presents confession as a healing sacrament that allows one to acknowledge sins, receive God’s forgiveness, and recover peace of conscience.
He also highlights its confidential nature, in contrast to a society increasingly accustomed to publicly displaying intimacy.
The bishop asks priests to facilitate access to confession
In his reflection, the bishop issues a specific exhortation to the priests of his diocese to promote the regular practice of the sacrament of Penance.
«Let us rediscover the benefits of the sacrament of forgiveness and make it accessible in everyday life», he writes.
He then calls for a review of the conditions under which it is offered to the faithful: «I invite priests to review the schedules, spaces, atmosphere, motivation, and welcome».
The prelate also insists on the attitude with which those who come to the confessional should be received: «Let us offer an exquisite, patient, and compassionate sacramental listening, capable of making each confession a liberating and gratuitous experience. Treating those who come as we would like to be treated».
Gómez recalls that everyone needs divine mercy and describes confession as a sacrament that «bestows peace and serenity of conscience, spiritual consolation, and strength to resume daily life with its world of relationships».
He also clarifies that sacramental confession should not be confused with spiritual accompaniment or psychological therapy, as each belongs to a different sphere.
Confession in the face of a society that displays its intimacy
The letter begins with a reflection on the constant exposure of private life. «We live in an exhibitionist society», the bishop notes, observing how social networks invite people to show where we are, what we do, what we think, and even how we feel.
According to Gómez, behind this need to express oneself often lies the legitimate desire to be seen, heard, and loved.
However, he warns that while one’s own image is being exposed, «the architecture of our deep being, the peace of the soul» may be neglected.
The prelate also addresses the feeling of guilt and the value of remorse when it helps to recognize a mistake, ask for forgiveness, repair the harm caused, and change one’s own conduct.
In this context, he claims confession as a space of protected intimacy through confidentiality, where the penitent can acknowledge their mistakes, immaturities, and sins without fear of being trapped by them.
«In the sacrament, confession turns intimacy into a sacred realm of confidentiality, respect, and forgetting», he explains.
The bishop concludes his reflection on the liberating value of forgiveness with an affirmation: «There is only one thing as liberating as hearing “I forgive you,” and that is hearing “I will always love you”».