Bishop Deeley Blesses New Confessionals at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland

PORTLAND---“We come to these confessionals as sinners, and we leave forgiven and restored to grace because of the ministry of reconciliation that Christ Jesus has entrusted to his Church.”

Bishop Robert Deeley spoke in front of clergy and parishioners on Wednesday evening, April 6, as he stood in front of the new confessionals constructed in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

Appropriately, the bishop came to bless them during “The Light is On for You,” a diocesan-wide initiative that offers additional opportunities for Maine Catholics to receive the sacrament of reconciliation in the days leading up to Holy Week.

Bishop Deeley told those gathered that out of Christ’s goodness those who are weighed down by sin will be relieved of their burden when they come to these confessionals.

“Whether out of justice you correct or out of compassion you forgive, your ways with us are always marked by mercy,” prayed the bishop. “Your chastisement keeps us from perishing forever and your forbearance gives us time to correct our ways.”

The decision to construct the new confessionals came after the parish reappraised the way it had been holding confessions prior to the pandemic, in the former baptistry.

“It was problematic for a number of reasons,” said Fr. Seamus Griesbach, rector of the Cathedral and pastor of the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes. “First of all, it was only one confessional, and we often need more than one for penance services. Second, it is right next to an outside door and lacks a secondary exit, making it a safety concern for the priest. Third, the room was cold and reverberant, making it uncomfortable and loud.”

After looking at a variety of options, the parish found that the back two corners of the chapel would be well suited for new confessionals. In early February, DICON (Diocesan Construction Company) began the work on the confessionals, which address the concerns of the previous setup while offering improvements.

“We have a little switch by the priest with a toggle with red and green lights to indicate the availability of the confessional,” said Fr. Griesbach. “The confessionals are heavily insulated and soundproofed, with ventilation fans for white noise. Between the penitent and the priest is a custom steel grate that was fabricated locally to match some of the interior design elements of the church. The goal was to make them very functional while at the same time integrating them with the historical and architectural character of the Cathedral.”

The confessionals were paid for in large part by the generous donations of parishioners to the special project. Confessions will be offered in the new confessionals on Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  

“The Light is On for You” continues throughout the week. For a list of confession opportunities at parishes throughout Maine, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/lightison.