POLITICS IN THE CONFESSION LINE
This morning after Mass I stepped into the line of people waiting to go to confession. The man ahead of me I recognized as a talkative acquaintance, so I was a bit afraid he would start a conversation, but minutes passed in silence, as I ruminated about what to say inside the confessional.
About the time my friend was the next up, however, he said a few things about the interior of the church. Then he started whispering things to me about Obama, his policies, and abortion. The next thing I knew the little lady on my other side began berating the whisperer for being critical of Obama. She was dark complexioned and had something of a Caribbean accent. Her assumption seemed to be that the man’s criticism was based on Obama’s racial identity. They didn’t exactly dialog, but things kept being said, mostly by the lady,as she averred that she was sick of all the judging of Obama after only three months, that everyone is equal in God’s eyes, that Jesus died on the cross for all people, and other similar statements.
I’d glance at her from time to time, uncomfortable at having partisan interchanges in the confession line, but trying to show some attention and sympathy, agreeing with what I could agree with, but she only looked straight ahead as she continued commenting, the other person now in the confessional. It was a little difficult to understand, but it seemed she was stating that perhaps he, perhaps both of us would report her. I realized that with the two of us white guys going into see the white priest ahead of her, she well might wonder if we would “report” her. I know I didn’t.
