Question:

I was raised Catholic and my dh was raised Baptist. We realized we needed to find a church, so we're "trying out"an Episcopalian one that we plan on going to next weekend, with the goal of converting. Could you answer a question I have about Episcopalian practices and beliefs regarding reconciliation? We have confession in the Catholic church, is this just a Catholic thing? This is one area that dh really had a problem with.

Answer:

There are several forms of confession used among Anglicans (Anglican is what Episcopalians are called outside of the USA). Corporate confession, is practiced at every liturgical service. It is *not* the *sacrament* of reconciliation, but it is considered a sufficient form of self-examination and preparation prior to communion. If a priest is present, he or she may pronounce words of absolution; but if a deacon or lay minister is leading the service he or she will simply lead a corporate prayer for forgiveness.

However, Anglicans may also, if they choose, participate in sacramental reconciliation. We say about the sacrament of confession that "all may, some should, none must". Very few Anglicans confess regularly. Most seek the sacrament only a few times in their lives (I have gone to confession twice: once the morning before my wedding when I wanted a perfectly fresh start on my new life; and once some years before when I had screwed up royally and sinfully). And many Anglicans *never* make a sacramental confession.

If you do choose to make your confession, you call the church office and make an appointment. There are usually no confessionals, so the priest sits next to the altar inside the sanctuary. You come at the appointed time, kneel at the altar rail, and 'fess up. The priest will either have a card at the rail with your part of the liturgy so that you can read it, or he'll tell you what to do and say at that time. Then he'll proclaim absolution.

By the way, I am a convert -- from Atheism. I don't consider converting from either the Roman Catholic denomination or the Baptist denomination to really be a "conversion". More an expression of (good) taste and preference in worship style. The Anglican communion recognises only one "church" -- the whole company of Christ's people. I happen to think that the Anglican/Episcopal style of worship and doctrine is the most rewarding way to be part of that one church, but those misguided souls <grin> whose personal taste leads them to follow Christ in the context of other denominations are still part of Christ's church. The weakness of the Anglican church is its tendency to stuffiness and Establismentarianism; but in my experience that weakness is outweighed by its historicity, beauty of worship, social justice commitment, and ability to laugh at itself.