A poser for you...

[neotoma]

if a character's evil twin/counterpart from a dystopian mirror universe traps the pastor of said character's childhood church in a confessional booth before blowing the church up, is that evidence that said character was raised Catholic? It's not like Episcopalians *have* confessional booths, is it?

Comments

[a-blue-moon-cat.livejournal.com]

Depends on the Episcopal church in question. Some are what is called High Church, or Anglo-Catholic, and are as about as close to Roman Catholicism as can be, but with theological differences. There could be private confession, but probably in the priest's office; not sure about a confessional booth--will have to ask my mother.

Then there's Low Church. This is the version for the Baptists and Methodists and the like who have converted to the Episcopal church simply because it is perceived as being upscale and upper class, and for those climbing the social and corporate ladder, it's a "safe" place to be. Supposedly. Doesn't have all the fancy trappings, is more plain like a Methodist church.

I was raised in a Low Church that tried to resist their High Church priest for many years. A bit confusing, but there it is.

I'll get back to you about the confessional booth, probably after Christmas. Btw, this is (was) deidrecorwyn, and we were mutual friends. I am now a_blue_moon_cat and when I applied the rename token, LJ went wonky on me and I lost all my mutual friends. I am still a friend of yours, but I will need you to please friend me back. Thanks in advance. :)

[eponis.livejournal.com]

Seconded. My old church was Anglo-Catholic Episcopal -- one of the most A-C in the country, actually -- and we really did have confessional booths. They were probably used less than in Catholic churches, but they still did have regular hours of operation around Lent, as well as by appointment. That's fairly rare among Episcopal churches, though, and virtually unknown in non-Catholic sects. Except the Eastern Orthodox -- they might well have them. I'm honestly not sure.

And yeah, "pastor" is a rare word to hear in a high church Episcopal or Catholic setting. You might hear "preacher," but it would be in an individual sense, like "Susan is our preacher for today, because she's preaching the sermon."

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

It's not *that* rare in a Catholic setting, as I grew up in the Church and the parish priest was often referred to as 'the pastor', generally to distinguish him from any priest who was visiting or on a circuit.