The Experience of Studying the Current State of Penance Practice in the Contemporary Church by Means of a Selective Questionnaire of Clergy

Abstract

In modern church life, the question of penance practice application, which has been developed over many centuries of the Church existence, is relevant and important. Penance in the church tradition is a remedy against sin and a means of eradicating the passions. Its application has always been a reactionary measure that directly correlates not only with personal characteristics of the repentant, but also with historical context. For further investigation of this issue, it is necessary to determine the state of penance practice in modern Church. One of the most relevant methods for solving this problem, in the author’s opinion, is to conduct a selective interviewing of the clergy. This method allows you to receive up-to-date information from those people who are currently resorting to penance when performing the Sacrament of Сonfession. The results of the survey showed that penance is an exceptional measure and is rarely used. Penance nowadays most often reveals itself in excommunication from Communion, additional prayer rules and spiritual reading. The sins that, according to the majority of the respondents, do not allow a person to be admitted to Holy Communion at once, are murder, abortion, fornication, adultery, participation in occult practices. Addiction to the Internet, social networks, pornography and, in general, to the endless stream of information constantly pouring out on a person, were named as especially dan- gerous sins of the present time. Some modern medical procedures associated with the birth of a new life, such as IVF, also cause pastoral concern.