a question for fellow catholics (slightly cryptic...sorry)

[acorntree]

if there was something bothering you (related to one of the sacraments),
and it was getting out of all proportion, and you wanted to speak to someone
to get your thoughts sorted out, who would you speak to?

I think I want to speak to someone who doesn?t know me so I can be anonymous
and say what I think without having to be guarded all the time, and to
someone who will be honest back (our PP is very sweet but knows me too
well and will say what he thinks I want to hear?).

[fluffyanimal]

Priest at next nearest local Catholic church? Catholic chaplin at local university?
Ask question of Catholic mnetters? I'm curious...

[acorntree]

I don?t want to go into too many details on an open forum (not that I'm paranoid or anything...).
Do you think a priest would mind if I just turned up at a random
presbytery a safe distance from my home parish? It is getting out
of proportion and I am not quite sure I can trust myself to be
rational about it. I don?t want to get shouted at.

[ZZZenAgain]

why don't you email a priest? I am trying to think of a forum or website where you might be able to get help but offhand can't think of anything. I would not choose a totally open forum because who knows what answers you'd get from uniformed people. Choose a parish website or order that you like the sound of and email the priest there.

[PinkTulips]

confession?

go to a church a town away and take confession with a priest who doesn't know you as well.... there's no rule against you asking them for spiruatal guidance while under the protection of the sacrament of confession afaik

[ZZZenAgain]

do you want to say which sacrament it is? maybe without going into any details, we can find an online answer to start with

[Madsometimes]

If it is not confession, then I am quite confused.

[acorntree]

Thanks for your replies ? I?ve tried books and online resources but
you can?t get feedback from them. Confession in another town might be
the safest.

Madsometimes, I'm confused too. That's the problem.

[morningpaper]

what about ask a priest dot com!

[morningpaper]

there are lots of priets on twitter, you could drop one a personal message and ask if you could email them?

[MaryBS]

I had a look at that link, MP. Couldn't help LOL at the bottom right

Mortal Sin New Feature

[mariagoretti]

My mum always waited till we were on holiday to take us all to Confession...

[TheMysticMasseuse]

i'd ask my priest to recommend someone to talk to. but then i probably would ask him directly, he is very open and non judgemental...

[cornsillk]

Mortal Sin New Feature - lol. That's like something out of Father Ted.

[ZZZenAgain]

are you getting anywhere with it acorntree?

[MaryBS]

Just a thought, but have you tried seeking out a minister from another denomination? Maybe Anglican/Methodist?

[acorntree]

Thanks folks.
I?ve looked at websites of parishes near where I work and found one that looks friendly, I?m trying to pluck up the courage to make contact.

Mary, I did talk to a Methodist minister who I met during our churches together Lent activities but his advice was talk to the parish priest. Our PP is usually very sweet but in this case he?ll probably shout at me (again) for getting things out of proportion (again!)

[serinBrightside]

Totalcatholic is a very serious forum, they may be able to reassure you until you have your appointment with a different priest.

[treedelivery]

Cannon Micheal Ryan at St Peter's in York city centre is on eof the nicest people on the planet - if you can visit that neck of the woods at all.

[Tommy]

whereabouts do you live acorntree? Maybe one of us can recommend someone

[Tommy]

don't know anyone in Oxford but know a good priest (he's also a Canon lawyer) in Reading if that would help?