Can the deaf or hard of hearing Catholic use a Confessional Screen?
"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
-St. Francis of Assisi
-St. Francis of Assisi
If you have a significant hearing loss, you may not be able to use the Screen (even if you prefer or desire it) and maybe surrendered to the fact that anonymity options just doesn't exist. I've never seen a sign that says 'hearing loss accessible' on a Confessional box at church so you have to figure this out in advance. Do NOT assume each church's confessional is the same. They are not. I learned my lesson on this.
One time I went to a Church that ONLY used screens (and there was no slit or drawer in the screen to pass anything through it like paper and pen, or a laptop, or iPhone, or iPad, and there was no Ubi Duo keyboard in there either) but I didn't know it because I was not familiar with this church.
The line was unusually long and I waited a good 45 minutes only to discover it was a'screen only' design. After a little brainstorming, someone in the line went into the confessional and told the priest who came out and motioned me to come into his little closet, which was the other 'room' where he sits near the screen adjacent to the penitents room.
This wasn't a face to face confessional box that some churches have, because they didn't have one. It WAS the priest closet with ONE chair and it was a TINY closet! It was so small that it was standing room only for the two of us, and rather close at that, and it would not have been able to handle another person standing up so we were really close, only inches face to face, let alone room for two of us to sit down.
I did my confession in THAT room (more like a box) with about as close as you can get 'face to face'! He was very polite and apologized that it was set up this way, as did I, and of course anonymity was NOT an option let alone your normal, average, comfortable speaking space between people. None the less, because we were standing face to face so close to each other, and the room had good lighting I actually understood him better then the sit down face to face. You can't miss the lips for lipreading of someone that close to you! Still though, it was extremely awkward all around that I know not to use that particular church's confessional box again.
I wish they would create more accessible confessional boxes for those with hearing loss with an anonymity option too. Even the screen didn't have any holes or a 'bank teller' drawer or even just a slit to slide back iPads or paper and pen. The confessional at this church was obviously very popular with the hearing people with long lines at all their boxes. It was very private with a 'great' screen (for them). I can see why they like it but we need some 'hearing loss accessible' confessional boxes, including anonymity options.
At the very least, can the churches at least warn the deaf or hard of hearing person what kind of confessional it is? Some of them are so dark too, while others have good lights. You really have to do your homework and be familiar with the confessional at any particular church. The model confessional ideal would be a dark, private (screen) and short confession, but for someone with a hearing loss, the Ubi Duo or St. Damien box would be a good alternative between the screens, or a slit or 'bank teller' drawer between the screen to slide back iPhones, or iPads, paper and pen, or laptops.
One time I went to a Church that ONLY used screens (and there was no slit or drawer in the screen to pass anything through it like paper and pen, or a laptop, or iPhone, or iPad, and there was no Ubi Duo keyboard in there either) but I didn't know it because I was not familiar with this church.
The line was unusually long and I waited a good 45 minutes only to discover it was a'screen only' design. After a little brainstorming, someone in the line went into the confessional and told the priest who came out and motioned me to come into his little closet, which was the other 'room' where he sits near the screen adjacent to the penitents room.
This wasn't a face to face confessional box that some churches have, because they didn't have one. It WAS the priest closet with ONE chair and it was a TINY closet! It was so small that it was standing room only for the two of us, and rather close at that, and it would not have been able to handle another person standing up so we were really close, only inches face to face, let alone room for two of us to sit down.
I did my confession in THAT room (more like a box) with about as close as you can get 'face to face'! He was very polite and apologized that it was set up this way, as did I, and of course anonymity was NOT an option let alone your normal, average, comfortable speaking space between people. None the less, because we were standing face to face so close to each other, and the room had good lighting I actually understood him better then the sit down face to face. You can't miss the lips for lipreading of someone that close to you! Still though, it was extremely awkward all around that I know not to use that particular church's confessional box again.
I wish they would create more accessible confessional boxes for those with hearing loss with an anonymity option too. Even the screen didn't have any holes or a 'bank teller' drawer or even just a slit to slide back iPads or paper and pen. The confessional at this church was obviously very popular with the hearing people with long lines at all their boxes. It was very private with a 'great' screen (for them). I can see why they like it but we need some 'hearing loss accessible' confessional boxes, including anonymity options.
At the very least, can the churches at least warn the deaf or hard of hearing person what kind of confessional it is? Some of them are so dark too, while others have good lights. You really have to do your homework and be familiar with the confessional at any particular church. The model confessional ideal would be a dark, private (screen) and short confession, but for someone with a hearing loss, the Ubi Duo or St. Damien box would be a good alternative between the screens, or a slit or 'bank teller' drawer between the screen to slide back iPhones, or iPads, paper and pen, or laptops.
___________________________________________________________________________
One person says:
"A hearing-challenged penitent is allowed, for example, to write sins or
questions on paper, pass the paper around
the screen to the priest, and the priest can hand back a note with his
advice and a penance. (All of the written
material, of course, should be returned to the penitent or properly
disposed of.)"
- See more at: http://www.catholiccourier.com/commentary/other-columnists/why-isnt-intercommunion-more-common/#sthash.IlsPo2je.dpuf
Nice idea, but can you catch it? In order to pass the paper around the screen you have to 'meet hand to hand'
, assuming you or the priest can reach it, or catch it although I suppose you could throw it and maybe we all will be
good at catching the flying paper. THis is also dependent on how far the edge of the screen is, where the priest is
sitting, and where the penitent is kneeling. In all seriousness this is extremely awkward. It would be better to
have a slit in the screen near where the penitent is kneeling and it would be near the priest who would be sitting
on the opposite side of the slit in the screen, It is very hard for elder penitents and priests to catch these flying
papers or find each other hands around a screen and it would often require them getting off the kneeler or off the
chair to do so. A slit is more user friendly for passing back and forth these things and you won't have to worry
about dropping expensive laptops, iPhones and iPads if a person missed the other hand while passing it around the
screen.
, assuming you or the priest can reach it, or catch it although I suppose you could throw it and maybe we all will be
good at catching the flying paper. THis is also dependent on how far the edge of the screen is, where the priest is
sitting, and where the penitent is kneeling. In all seriousness this is extremely awkward. It would be better to
have a slit in the screen near where the penitent is kneeling and it would be near the priest who would be sitting
on the opposite side of the slit in the screen, It is very hard for elder penitents and priests to catch these flying
papers or find each other hands around a screen and it would often require them getting off the kneeler or off the
chair to do so. A slit is more user friendly for passing back and forth these things and you won't have to worry
about dropping expensive laptops, iPhones and iPads if a person missed the other hand while passing it around the
screen.
“If people wanted to go to confession they had to write everything down and pass it through the grate to the priest.” (Source: http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/article.php?classID=1&subclassID=2&articleID=13606)
Nice idea too, but many confessionals don't have grates with holes big enough to pass even paper and pen, let alone modern technology like using the note app on the iPhone and passing that. I'm sure there are churches that do have holes in the grates large enough, but I haven't found one and they don't list on the website or at the confessional if it is accessible in that way for the deaf and hard of hearing.
These days with technology, its easier to pass back and forth small laptops, iPads, and iPhones instead of paper and pen. It's faster too then writing. I would love to see a slit for today's technology and to make the confessional more user friendly for the deaf and hard of hearing. Still, I have found plenty of churches that don't even allow the passing through of paper and pen because there are no holes in the grates.
For those with mild and moderate hearing loss, ALD's would work (assuming the device is in a SOUND PROOF room):
A hearing assistance device is available for those whose hearing is impaired. (Source: http://churchofstpiusx.org/liturgy-sacraments/reconciliation/)
____________________________________________________________________
Catholics with Hearing Loss and
Deafness - Creating Access to the Confessional for
the deaf and hard of hearing :
__________________________________
"When looking at face to face vs. behind the screen, we have to look not at preferences and what makes us feel good, but what facilitates a more thorough confession and hence a firmer reconciliation to God with the reception of more grace." (Source: http://unamsanctamcatholicam.blogspot.com/2007/08/confession-behind-screen-more-than-just.html.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The downside of face to face confessionals
versus the screen: http://unamsanctamcatholicam.blogspot.com/2007/08/confession-behind-screen-more-than-just.html
____________________________________________________________________
"Which way do you prefer to go to confession?
- behind a screen or grate (88%, 1,924 Votes)
- face to face (12%, 264 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,188"
______________________________________________________________
It is discouraging the sacrament of
confession
to the deaf and
hard of hearing when anonymity, privacy
and
spontaneity just do not exist.
spontaneity just do not exist.
_______________________________________
A screen with an Ubi Duo
keyboard would be nice to have (or the St. Damien
confessional box). Even a slit in the screen to allow the passing
back and forth of iPads or iPhones can facilitate the
communication between screens.
Canon law grants
hearing people
the right to a screen at the Catholic confessional. You can type
on the iPad and then erase it before you leave (you do not press send
or use the internet, but merely use the note app or email app or some kind of speech to text app as a
framework and then delete it afterwards).
I personally would
love to see a confessional app tailored for the deaf and hard of
hearing to allow a dialogue box between priest and penitent.
Then you can just pass it back and forth between the slit in the
screen. There are confessional apps available, and with a little
customizing it can be tailored for the hard of hearing and deaf by
including a dialogue box for the priest and penitent.
______________________________________
Catholics and Confession: http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/priests_forgive_sins_call_no_man_father.php
___________________________________________________________________
Opening the Doors of the Church for the
deaf and hard of hearing:
deaf and hard of hearing:
___________________________________________________________
"Another set of statistics, however, shows that a full 98 percent of those who are deaf or hearing impaired rarely or never attend church. " (Source: http://www.stenotype.edu/news/stenographer-goes-church/#sthash.T6dA2OpF.dpuf)
________________________________________________________________________________________
“If we can start to understand how
people with disabilities respond
to the church, then we can see
how other people who might feel
excluded can be drawn in". - See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201312/ramp-it-how-parishes-can-increase-accessibility-28230#sthash.2NCKxs0O.dpuf
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What do the deaf and hard of hearing use for
Communication Access?:
ASL (American Sign Language) is used by the Culturally Deaf in the USA, CART (real time captioning) or its newer tech version called Remote CART is used by the late deaf, oral deaf and severe to profound hearing loss, ALD's (Assistive Listening Devices) are used by the hard of hearing (mild and moderate hearing loss). Captioning (CART) can sometimes be used by the culturally Deaf but you need to ask them first. The Hard of Hearing (mild and moderate hearing loss) can also use captioning but they usually prefer Audio Loops and ALD's. Again, you need to ask them first. Yes, I know I keep saying this through out my blog. We are diverse you see. We need to break the sound barriers for everyone so they can fully and actively participate and share the Joy of the Gospel to all.
______________________________________________________________
Help Me Understand Confession
(click on CC for captioning): http://spiritualdirection.com/2013/01/21/video-help-me-understand-confession?doing_wp_cron=1415802513.5996348857879638671875
______________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Are You Saved?
______________________________________
Why Getting 'Saved' is Better in the Catholic Church:
see
http://www.evangelicaltocatholic.com/why-getting-saved-is-better-in-the-catholic-church/
_____________________________________________________
Caption Catholic Tidbits:
“If we can start to understand how
people with disabilities respond
to the church, then we can see
how other people who might feel
excluded can be drawn in". - See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201312/ramp-it-how-parishes-can-increase-accessibility-28230#sthash.2NCKxs0O.dpuf
What do the deaf and hard of hearing use for
Communication Access?:
ASL (American Sign Language) is used by the Culturally Deaf in the USA, CART (real time captioning) or its newer tech version called Remote CART is used by the late deaf, oral deaf and severe to profound hearing loss, ALD's (Assistive Listening Devices) are used by the hard of hearing (mild and moderate hearing loss). Captioning (CART) can sometimes be used by the culturally Deaf but you need to ask them first. The Hard of Hearing (mild and moderate hearing loss) can also use captioning but they usually prefer Audio Loops and ALD's. Again, you need to ask them first. Yes, I know I keep saying this through out my blog. We are diverse you see. We need to break the sound barriers for everyone so they can fully and actively participate and share the Joy of the Gospel to all.
______________________________________________________________
Help Me Understand Confession
(click on CC for captioning): http://spiritualdirection.com/2013/01/21/video-help-me-understand-confession?doing_wp_cron=1415802513.5996348857879638671875
______________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Are You Saved?
______________________________________
Why Getting 'Saved' is Better in the Catholic Church:
see
http://www.evangelicaltocatholic.com/why-getting-saved-is-better-in-the-catholic-church/
_____________________________________________________
see
http://www.evangelicaltocatholic.com/why-getting-saved-is-better-in-the-catholic-church/
_____________________________________________________
Caption Catholic Tidbits:
This is a wonderful resource for understanding Catholicism called Catholic Bridge. See http://www.catholicbridge.com
Also see One Bread at http://1bread.catholic.org for additional sources on the Catholic Faith.
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Pray For Us All!
_____________________________________
Come Pray the Rosary with others - together Online: http://www.comepraytherosary.org
(text guided version offered to follow along)
_________________________________________________________________
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How can we make the Catholic church accessible to ALL the deaf and hard of hearing?:
______________________________________________________________________
"Accessible meeting space allowseveryone to participate."
__________________________________________"Of all the barriers to full participation and inclusion, the barrier of unexamined attitudes is the most difficult to address," states Ginny Thornburgh, director of the American Association of People with Disabilities' Interfaith Initiative."(Source: http://www.disabilitiesandfaith.org)__________________________________________________________Former Roman Catholics: see http://www.oncecatholic.org __________________________________________________________________
The purpose of this blog is to raise Diversity Awareness among those with hearing loss and deafness, and to raise awareness that many with hearing loss are being excluded from full participation at the Mass if the church does not have Captioning. Catholics with hearing loss deserve the fullness of their faith. Does your Diocese/Archdiocese have at least one Mass service in Captioning at a church that one who benefits from it can reasonably travel to in order to fully and actively participate at the Mass? Contact your Diocese/Archdiocese - find it here: http://www.usccb.org/about/bishops-and-dioceses/all-dioceses.cfm.)US Bishop Statement:
'It is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to people with disabilities, since these forms are the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian community together'
(Source: http://www.disabilityawarenesstraining.com/component/content/article/3/40)_________________________________________________________________
Is your church or Diocese/Archdiocese inclusive to all those with hearing loss and deafness by providing Real time Captioning, Sign Language and Audio Loops? If not - Diversity and Inclusion Awareness is needed in order to share the joy of the gospel by applying Universal Communication Access. It is very important to share the Word of God with everyone. Let's pray for that!Prayer of Inclusion: http://www.ncpd.org/ministries-programs/spirituality/prayers
CC-CaptionCatholic
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