Can the priest see the sinner during confession?

Answer 1

Not suppose to

Answer 2

I think that the veil between the priest and the sinner, is carried into the confessional by the veil separating the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where only the high priest could go. I think if the priest want to see the confession he might to peer into the room and see at least part of them. Others, there is no way to see them. If the priest that is taking confessional is truly there to hear you repent, he won't try to see you, and will do his best to let all of what he heard fade away. So, going all the way around to say this, A priest could see people if he wanted to, such as when they leave the confessial he could pull his curtain aside to see the person leave. I have also seen some pretty ornate windows, but they would not have totally hidden the face. And, after a priest his someones confessions for years he would recognize their voices.

Answer 3

It is not a requirement that the person confessing not be seen by the priest. In the Confessional there is a small window with a lattice type screen and the priest is not facing the one confessing and will tilt his head towards-side of head that has ear-towards the screened window-usually looking down and not at the person doing the confession so No usually not. If its important that the priest not see say that you feel very self conscious and prefer he not look at you-to put you at ease about it. Some people who don't mind or can;'t go to regular confession hours-confess person to person with the priest. Keep in mind that the priest is NOT there to judge you or form a opinion if you are good or bad or even if your sin is horrible. Has heard I'm sure every possible sin so nothing you say can shock him. He is there as a representative of God. Yes you can tell God directly and be forgiven but the purpose of confession is to teach you humility and to make sure you have a good heart being forgiven by God(it is He not the priest that forgives you) when you receive Communion.

Answer 4

I believe we have a canonical right to maintain anonymity during Confession, which is generally achieved by use of a screen between the priest and penitent. It is not always conducted that way, though, especially when there are a large number of penitents (such as in a Catholic school).

Answer 5

Yes. Usually at churches there is that room or whatever it's called (sorry, I don't know the name), but that's just for whoever wants to use it. For some people, they prefer more anonymity when admitting their sins.

But, a priest can give confession to a friend or family member.

Answer 6

They can do it either way.

I went to Catholic school where we had confession, and the priest (who also happened to be our principle) could see us. Needless to say, no one ever confessed anything of importance for this reason.

Answer 7

True confession is between God and person.We can trust God but we can not totally trust the motives of the one who hears our confession, God does not use our sin against us, he teaches us through confession, he already knows our sin we are brought to the point of seeing it and in our own words we confess . It does not end there, the teaching of his will for our life, It is always a beginning to salvation.

Answer 8

Privacy is an option afforded by a small black
curtain that may be drawn upon entering the confessional.

Answer 9

Not in the booth, but they know the voice. I could never slip anything past Father Giles

Answer 10

NO. That would spoil the necesary interaction by adding an unwanted personal angle.

Answer 11

Who cares what the priest can see? It's GOD you should worry about :)