Mea Maxima Masculinity Culpa

Convivium, 30 March 2017

Editor in Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on the Man Up Against Violence Week occurring at the University of Regina, socialized hypermasculinity, and the true nature of confession.

Pope Francis promotes the sacrament of confession with great vigour. Specifically, during Lent he has requested that every diocese designate a church to remain open for “24 Hours for the Lord” where priests are available all that day and night for those desiring to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Tomorrow, I will be in the confessional booth for a few hours at St. Mary’s Cathedral, our designated church in the Archdiocese of Kingston.

The priest hearing confessions never knows what exactly the next penitent will say. It could be a 12-year-old girl quarreling with her brother, or a man coming to confession in search of mercy after 30 years and a lifetime of moral messiness. That won’t be a problem this week at the University of Regina, where the sins are known ahead of time.

It’s Man Up Against Violence Week at the University of Regina, one of those eminently respectable initiatives sponsored by labour unions, aboriginal leaders, major corporations and various government bureaus. Athletes in Action, the Christian group, is also a sponsor. Speaking as a man against violence, prima facie it seems a worthy initiative.

Newman House ManagerMarch 30, 2017Convivium, Culture, Canada