Case XLIV: Misuse of General Confession by Penitents of the Female Sex

No doubt General Confession is in many cases necessary. This necessity will occur in the case of women more frequently than of men, because invalid Confessions, for lack of contrition or of sincerity, are more frequently made by the former than by the latter. When, therefore, there is need of a General Confession in the case of a female, the confessor is, of course, obliged to hear the same. But great precaution is required in this matter, as it not infrequently happens that females misuse General Confession and are prompted by discreditable motives. Such motives are, for instance: 1. Curiosity regarding the ways of a new confessor; 2. Infatuation, which causes the penitent to seek opportunity for long conversations with the confessor; 3. Jealousy, the person endeavoring to stay longer in the confessional than other penitents of her sex; 4. Now and then malicious intention, either of confusing young and inexperienced confessors, or even to lead them into temptation, by inventing sins contra sextum, etc. Hence young priests in particular should be cautious in such cases and seek in a prudent way to ascertain of what mind the penitent is, and by what motives she feels induced to make a General Confession.

For it is not merely a waste of time to hear a General Confession made only for purpose of conversation. For that reason it is well not to lose sight of the Ducite Caute. Dr. Joseph Niglutsch.