Pope Francis orders clergy to hear confessions in parish church, plans to join them

A letter published last week from Robert Moynihan on his blog, says that Pope Francis has ordered members of the Roman Curia to hear confessions of the people on a regular basis and that he will join them.

ROME, ITALY (Catholic Online) - Pope Francis has directed those closest to him in the Curia, notably the cardinals and the archbishops, to hear confessions at the church of Santo Spirito just outside the Vatican.

The Vatican Almoner already hears confessions at the church each day at 3 p.m. and he will now be joined by other high-profile Church officials. Among them may also be Pope Francis himself, who has indicated that he too will take his turn hearing confessions there.

The motivation for the order is to emphasize for the people the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the greatness of God in forgiving human sin.

Pope Francis is notable for coming out from behind his desk and into the crowds where he can mingle with people as he has done all his life. While serving as an archbishop in Buenos Aries, he often used public transportation and spent time amongst the poor in that city's slums.

It is common for Catholic clergy to become accustomed to their roles as administrators and directors and they sometimes forget they are also shepherds whose work is to find the one lost sheep. By taking to the confessional, no matter their rank or responsibility, these men are humbly reminded of their duty and the mercy that God has for all.

This appears to be the dominant theme of Francis' pontificate. That God is great, powerful, and merciful, and that when we act with humility, we truly serve God and one another.

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