Confession, also known as the sacrament of penance, is a vital sacrament  in the Roman Catholic faith that involves a confidential and private conversation between a believer and an ordained priest to seek forgiveness. Historically, this sacrament required physical presence in a church. However, as the world becomes more reliant on technology, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,  pastronal adaptations provided cogency for  adapting this practice to modern times.

Dr. Carlos Del Rio from Bellevue University explores the idea of using audio-visual technologies to perform confession remotely in his recent work, published in Religions. Dr. Del Rio argues that neither physical proximity, nor physical touch are necessary for a confession, and that technology can facilitate the sacrament while maintaining its sacredness. “The sacrament of penance restores grace in a person’s soul, and we believe it can be celebrated meaningfully using modern technologies,” Dr. Del Rio states.

In his research, Dr. Del Rio emphasizes that priests act as instruments of God’s forgiveness, but they do not require physical touch to do so. The use of audio-visual technology, such as video calls, could allow for the essential aspects of the sacrament—confession of sins and absolution through spoken words—to be preserved without the need for “in-person” proximity  encounters. This could be particularly beneficial for those who are physically unable to attend confession, such as the elderly, homebound, imprisoned, or those in hospitals.

Dr. Del Rio’s research suggests that visual and auditory perception are the key elements of confession. During a video call, a priest can hear the confessor’s words and see their facial expressions, creating an effective environment for expressing contrition and repentance, and for seeking absolution. “The use of technology can maintain the confidentiality and sacredness of the sacrament, while offering a practical solution to those who cannot physically attend confession,” Dr. Del Rio explains.

One of the main  arguments presented in the proposal  is that Jesus himself often used verbal forgiveness without physical proximity. Dr. Del Rio refers to biblical instances where Jesus granted forgiveness through spoken words, highlighting that the essence of the sacrament lies in the communication and intention, rather than physical touch.

Dr. Del Rio’s proposal has broad implications for how the Church may approach the future of pastoral care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches experimented with “drive-through” confessions to maintain social distancing, demonstrating that adaptations in ritual can be made without losing the sacrament’s essence. Dr. Del Rio expands on this by suggesting that video or phone confessions could become a useful  pastoral tool.

While the proposal focuses on Roman Catholic doctrine, it raises broader questions about how religious practices can evolve in the digital age. The Church has traditionally placed importance on the physical presence of the confessor and priest, but Dr. Del Rio suggests  a theological basis for rethinking this requirement. His work calls for more in-depth studies on the application of technology in religious sacraments and suggests that audio-visual confessions could be a way to meet the spiritual needs of a cotemporary , tech-savvy population.

In conclusion, Dr. Carlos Del Rio’s research offers a compelling argument for using audio-visual technology in confessions, potentially opening the door to a new era of digital spirituality. By embracing these tools, the Church could provide a vital sacrament  to those who are unable to attend traditional confessions, while still maintaining the integrity and privacy  of the sacrament.

Journal Reference

Del Rio, Carlos M. “Confession Using Audio Visual, Distance Technologies.” Religions, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15020214