Fr. Andreas Wollbold, Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich since 2003, in a recent interview with Die Tagespost, complained that “the sacrament of penance plays only a marginal role in the identity of most priests.”
In his interview in Die Tagespost, he says that “Confession is quite simply dead in Germany.” And he adds that, “to win faithful over to the rediscovery of this sacrament, ‘you have to break through big barriers.’ This can only be done in a very targeted manner and with much perseverance.”
What is particularly concerning is the priest’s assertion that “the sacrament of penance plays only a marginal role in the identity of most priests.” Die Tagespost explains that “the Munich theologian stated: ‘This is not good, because next to the power of the Eucharist, that of the forgiveness sins is the great unique characteristic of the priest.’”
It is through a special ceremony, at the end of the ordination Mass—in the traditional Rite, of course—that this power is signified, when the pontiff pronounces the formula: “Receive the Holy Ghost: Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained” (Jn. 20:22-23), while unfolding the back of the chasuble, folded up until then.
Fr. Wollbold adds, somewhat disillusioned: “But it is probable that for this, the ecclesiastics must first rediscover themselves the power of this sacrament,” thus indicating the little notice they take of it themselves.
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