View source for Father Branagh's First Letter to VIto

Dear Vito,

This is the second time you've indicated you think I wouldn't hold confession sacrosanct. You're obviously hurting, the more so as you can't easily come in and talk to me, so I'm overlooking this. But I'll have you know that the next time you accuse me of taking my duties less than seriously, you can find yourself another priest. I don't tell you how to do your job, and I'll thank you not to tell me how to do mine.

It's obvious that you're in pain. I can't give you absolution without a formal Confession, in person, face to face. But, I can give you sympathy, and perhaps hope.

You did a terrible thing; we both know that. Whether it was a necessary thing, I cannot say.

It sounds to me like you believe you were fighting a holy war against the 
Lord's enemies. We both know that some wars must be fought. God understands this, but I think He does not ever want this to be easy or pleasant.

To take a life is a terrible thing, even when it must be done. And even in a situation as you describe (as far as I understand it), to kill all those people is a terrible thing. I tell you this because you don't want a priest who sugar coats things. You want to look a truth in the eye, however unpleasant it is.

And I think the honesty should give you hope. You are not pretending to yourself that what you did was right and proper, even if it was the Lord's Will. You are doing your best to remember the enormity of this slaughter, and that is the first step. How could I not hear your Confession? You are in pain and come to the house of the Lord for the sake of your soul. God willing, you may make amends even for this. And, if you find yourself in a country with priests before you return home, I will not be offended if you go to one of them for Confession. This is not something you should delay on.

Yes, I am worried for you, Vito, and I do fear for your soul. But I do not despair, and you must not either. That is the worst thing you could do. That way lies pride and vanity, as if you alone have committed a sin so grand that the Almighty Himself could not pardon you. The man who claims to believe this boasts. That man is an egotistical little shit who fancies himself a big man, hardest of the hard, proud of his sins, the biggest of which is his despair that denies the power of the Lord.

You are not that man. Sure, you need taking down a peg now and then, but yours are not the words of a boaster. You are masking a good beginning with your sketches. Come see me when you can, and we'll talk. There's nothing I recall in Scripture that says confession must be in a confesional or that there can't be a drink or two to ease the telling.

And, of course, I will pray for you, even if you won't pray for yourself.

--Father Mike Branagh

P.S. I will also pray for your partner. Her soul may be in greater danger than yours, Vito. Oh, I understand, very well the lies people need to tell themselves to sleep at night. The danger is that one comes to believe those lies and therefore does not repent. Should she wish to speak with me, she would be welcome. In any case, I will pray for her. Perhaps you might find it in your heart to do the same, even if you don't believe, even if you won't do it for yourself.