By Marie Mulvenna

To date, at least a half a dozen parishes in the archdiocese are utilizing the option of "open" confession, granted in the new Penance rite announced last February.

The new concept, whereby a penitent can confess to the priest face-to-face without the traditional screen providing anonymity, is but one of the options of the new rite. The new practice of open confession is becoming more popular in local parishes, many of which are converting areas of the church into such confession rooms.

According to Father Paul Berny of Sts. Peter and Paul parish, Decatur, the new Penance rite was the major topic for the recent convention of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions meting in Spokane, Washington. Father Berny, a member of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, attended the session and said that detailed guidelines of the rite and all its application and options are still in the translation stage, but are expected to be officially released soon.

Archbishop Donnellan has approved the use of the announced option of "open" confession, Father Berny said, as long as there is always available to the penitent the choice of private confession.

At St. Joseph's parish in Dalton, Father John Kieran, pastor, discussed the introduction of a confession room there, stating that the parish "made good use of this new approach by reconstructing the confessional." After a detailed study of the available church space, the old confessional was replaced with a 13-by-8 walled-in area which features a fold-out screen and kneeler as well as a chair opposite the confessor's table. "The penitent is entirely free to choose whichever style he prefers," Father Kieran noted.

During Mass at St. Joseph's, the screen is folded back to the wall, and the room becomes a "cry" room where toddlers can walk around on deep pile carpeting while their parents can follow the Mass through two four-by-four windows. Father Kieran said the drapes for the windows, which are closed during confessions, as well as other fittings for the room, were donated by the women of the parish's Altar Society.

Commentators on the new Penance rite have noted that the value of the new directions and emphases will depend on the initiative of the individual penitent and confessor.