As in the United States, here in Maryland, the dioceses of Limoges and Tulle in Limousin, have set up - Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

On the model of drive in theFast food restaurants, the Catholic community of Limousin innovates and offers drive confessions, a confession session for the faithful who stay behind the wheel of their car, in a parking lot. This initiative, unprecedented in France, takes its example from the United States and Poland, where the coronavirus crisis has created these new modes of transmission.

Spotted by France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the initiative was launched by “very modern” Father David de Lestapis from the parish of Saint John Paul II. Once the bishop of Limoges was notified, he took care to ensure that the secret of the sacrament was well respected: “It is, because the interior of the car allows a certain discretion. Finally, it is not very different from the way you confess summer, outdoors, during camps with young people or spiritual sessions. ", He confided to our colleagues.

Which check box?

The first drive confession session took place on April 25 in the parking lot of the Sainte Jeanne d'Arc church, where three faithful inaugurated this new concept. “This initiative allows us to have access to the sacrament of confession which is essential in the life of a Christian. It's the only damn thing we have access to during confinement, so it's important. One of them testified.

Impossible, however, to know which box to check for going to this type of meeting, even if Father Lestapis, half-serious, half-amused, suggested the box "health reasons:" For us, there are some therapeutic thing in confession, in this process of forgiveness. Our hearts need to find peace, to be healed in these difficult times. "

And the initiative could spread in France during the period of deconfinement, Edouard Philippe having announced Tuesday that the places of worship would not be reopened before June 2, at least.

  • epidemic
  • Deconfinement
  • Covid 19
  • Coronavirus
  • Limoges
  • Catholicism
  • Limousin
  • Religion
  • Society