"The confessor . . . is always in danger of being either too much of a rigorist or too lax. Neither is merciful. . . ."

"the ministers of the church must be ministers of mercy above all. The confessor, for example, is always in danger of being either too much of a rigorist or too lax. Neither is merciful, because neither of them really takes responsibility for the person. The rigorist washes his hands so that he leaves it to the commandment. The loose minister washes his hands by simply saying, ‘This is not a sin’ or something like that. In pastoral ministry we must accompany people, and we must heal their wounds."

     Pope Francis to Antonio Spadaro, S.J., as quoted in "A big heart open to God:  the exclusive interview with Pope Francis," America, 30 September 2013.