A Father Ignatius Story: Chocolate Sin. by Victor S.E. Moubarak.

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UBI CARITAS ET AMOR. DEUS IBI EST.

Father Ignatius was at the supermarket pushing his trolley slowly from one aisle to the next and reading his shopping list as he went along. He rarely visited the confectionery counters but this time he made a special detour to buy a box of chocolates for Mrs Davenport, his housekeeper, whose birthday was the following day.

Just as he entered the aisle he saw one of his parishioners there standing a few feet away. He was a successful local business man and a regular in church every Sunday and at confession every Saturday morning.
The priest was about to greet him when what he saw next made him suddenly stop in his tracks and freeze on the spot.

The business man took a chocolate bar from the shelf and put it in his pocket. He then moved away nonchalantly as if nothing happened.

Father Ignatius faced a sudden dilemma. Should he confront the man and tell him what he did is wrong. This may well cause a scene at the store as the man may well deny any wrongdoing.

Or should he inform a member of staff about what he had just witnessed and leave the matter to them.

Or should he just do nothing. Look the other way. Condone stealing through his lack of actions.
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Comments

  1. Victor S E Moubarak2:29 pm, December 11, 2013

    Thank you so much Melanie for posting this story. It is one of my favourites Father Ignatius tales because it brings into question what a priest should do when he sees sins commited.

    Say, for example, a priest knows for sure that a parishioner is being unfaithful in marriage; should the priest confront the sinner, or ignore it?

    What if the parishioner goes to confession and does not confess this sin? Should the priest mention it?

    By not mentioning it, and giving absolution anyway, is the priest making a mockery of Confession?

    Thank you Melanie for your continued support. I hope and pray you and yours are keeping well.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melanie Jean Juneau3:42 pm, December 11, 2013

      your stories add so much to this site Victor. Thank-YOU

      Delete

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