Group process and the catholic rites of reconciliation

While individual and group psychotherapy are often referred to as forms of secular confession, the relationship of early religious confessional practices to the psychology of contemporary helping group processes needs further exploration. An examination of the theology and form of the Catholic rites of reconciliation indicates that their psychology and structure clearly parallel many of the healing processes at work in group psychotherapy.     

Myth-making,community, and catholic tradition

Assuming that myths and their stories are among the most prominent vehicles for teaching spiritual values and creating communities of faith, the purpose of this paper is to examine myth relative to its nature, role, and function. The presence of myth in society also allows for the evaluation of those myths that are evil. In addition to that, we have the inappropriateness of certain aspects of myths that need to be identified and removed, lest they contaminate the whole story and its spiritual effect.Each of these issues is addressed, and certain suggestions are made relative to greater community wholeness and spiritual well-being.     

Therapeutic and redemptive aspects of religious confession

Religious confession provides a forum for the expression of individual identity and relational needs. As a ritual that gives public sanction to personal transformation and redemption, confession also connects the faithful to the larger community. Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish ways of confession are surveyed to examine their historical and contemporary significance. Religious confession not only reflects meaning; it also creates meaning filtered through our psychological understanding of what constitutes sin. Clinical examples illustrate the need for therapists to become more aware of the relationship of their own values and countertransference in spiritual disclosure.     

The value of confession and forgiveness according to Jung

This article represents a broad survey of the views of C. G. Jung regarding confession and for giveness. Man, a naturally religious being, has a need to confess his wrong and to gain forgiveness of one sanctioned to absolve. The curative effect of confession has been known for centuries. Without confession, man remains in moral isolation. Priests, ministers, and rabbis, as well as psychotherapists, attest to the universality of this human phenomenon. Confession is located in that place where psychology and religion meet-guilt. Jung's views on confession bridge the chasm between psychology and religion.     

Letter to my children about sex and the catholic church

This essay is directed to a younger generation. It summarizes the conflicting traditions in the Catholic community today: official Church teaching (represented by “Humanae Vitae” and “Veritatis Splendor”), liberal theologians like Charles Curran (who occasioned this letter), and ordinary Catholics struggling in an imperfect world. The paper attempts to integrate values from three traditions, those associated with respect for new life, a loving relationship, and playfulness. The resulting synthesis offers a spiritually and psychologically viable option worth considering, the author believes. His four children range in age from 18 to 26.