A few weeks ago, I blogged on how the public responds to our “heroes” when they fall from grace. Many examples exist to make the point – Tiger Woods, General Petraeus, Michael Vick, and, of course, Lance Armstrong. Since then, Lance, who for years has vehemently 
proclaimed his innocence, finally went to the high priest of secular confession, Oprah Winfrey, and before a worldwide audience confessed to doping, lying, and bullying those who had dared to tell the truth about him.
The dust is still settling, and one senses the full truth is not yet out. The public is still making up its mind about Lance. Many argue he still doesn’t “get it”, and views himself simply as one of many who cheated by doping. A few days ago, he reiterated his feelings of being cycling’s “fall guy,” and called for amnesty for cyclists who have doped. It’s almost as if we should feel sorry for him, as if he were the victim, not the perpetrator.
How do we take these new comments in relation to his “confession” to Oprah?
The saying goes that “confession is good for the soul.” Of course, confession in a re
ligious sense, specifically within a Catholic sense, is a very serious rite and has a long tradition. St. Thomas Aquinas, an advocate of confession, noted it was only one of three necessary steps in the process of penance. In his Catechism he says:
“Three things must be present in the Sacrament of Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin together with a resolution not to sin again; confession of sins, as far as possible; and satisfaction, which is accomplished by good works.”
Whether one is Catholic or not, if we use Aquinas’ teaching as a model for confession and forgiveness, where does that leave Lance? Did his mea culpa pass muster? Did we see genuine contrition and sorrow, and a resolve not to lie, cheat, or hurt others again? Did he come fully clean, confessing all his wrongdoings? And is he on a path to make right his wrongs by related good deeds and actions?
Clearly, a big step has been taken but one senses there is a need for more… what do you think?
It is easy to sit in judgment of a fallen hero but what about my own confession? One struggle in the work environment (and at home with the family) is confessing my wrongs and shortcomings and appearing incompetent with peers, superiors, and direct reports. I desire to be honest but full disclosure may erode the confidence of those around me. Most likely, the best course of action is to confess limitations up front and draw on the expertise and experience of those around me.
If good deeds and actions are required in order to “right the wrongs”, then he had already “innoculated” himself with projects such as Live Strong. But no amount of good deeds will ever be sufficient. My sin, his sin, all of our sins can only be washed away by the blood of the only high priest that matters — Jesus the Christ.
I’m with Rick. LiveStrong is a big move toward accomplishing good works. Not that his good works somehow remove his wrong, but that it implies he is focusing in the future on living a pattern of generosity rather than unhealthy competition.
I can’t speak for Lance’s heart and his sense of contrition. Nor is it my place. However, I do choose to take public confession at face value as a sign of a person’s contrition. Otherwise, I find myself judging other people in ways that don’t feel helpful to my own relationship with Christ.