Why is it that, when it comes to confession, there are always women depicted as going to confession? Why are it the men who pretend to listen attentively, only to then impose the punishment that suits them best through gossip and slander, under the pretence that they have been chosen by God and are His right hand? Who decides what is good and evil, stoning women with stones on which the names of ‘good men’ are carved in the name of the Almighty? How is it, then, that you go to heaven whilst I bear the suffering, and you drink the sacramental wine, and the rest of you hang about in the pub every Sunday after the sermon, squandering all the household money?
Why all this hypocrisy with all those statues and saints, and why are fortunes spent on rubbish whilst the Church’s wealth only increases, whilst every believer is being fleeced?

If God created humankind in his own image, then women are also part of that, and not only that: she is the creative force, the one who carries the parasite within her, who gives life to the men who become soldiers, who rule, and the madmen who decide on life and death. How is it that not a single tyrant treats his mother and wife well, or holds her in the highest regard for all the sacrifices she has made and continues to make? She even sacrifices her health and life in giving birth to ungrateful offspring, lazy men, dictators, crybabies, scammers, spammers, all those with identity issues, whilst her life expectancy is shorter if she marries, in contrast to that of a married man.
You know that hypocritical wretch standing by the corner of the confessional, pretending to read the Bible intently in the hope that he might overhear what I’m saying. That’s the only reason he sent his old nanny to confession. He made her life a misery, yet she still does as he says.

Is this what a woman’s life is like, regardless of her status or background, endlessly putting up with things and never being allowed to speak your mind?
No, thank you. I won’t be saying any Hail Marys, I won’t be donating anything to the Church, and I certainly won’t be paying for all those indulgences you’re trying to foist on me. This is the very last time you’ll see me here. I don’t see the point in penance as long as the Church is so underhand and applies double standards.

Have a good life, and you’d better keep your hands off the choir boys, or you’ll be sorry. And before I forget, this scene has been captured for eternity.

“As fast as watercolour works,” she muttered as she pulled herself up and smoothed out her dress. She gave a fleeting nod to the painter who was capturing the scene without the others present noticing, too busy as they were with gossiping and eavesdropping.

_{Painting: A church interior with women at the confessional - 1863 - watercolor on paper - public domain
Painter: Ludwig Passini
18-8-2026
The contest Art & Writing #199 is hosted by @solperez
The photos were taken by me at "De Beeldentuin" of Museum Arnhem - The Netherlands. In every Stone is carved a name...}