Can a baptized Anglican in RCIA go to Confession in a Catholic church before confirmation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jredden92
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jredden92

Guest
I just have some things I need to get off my chest.
 
Last edited:
You’re supposed to. Have they told you not to yet? When I was in RCIA I regret to say the parish and the priest had unorthodox ideas and I wound up going to another parish for my first confession.
 
Yes, you certainly can. Just make sure you explain your position to the priest.
 
You will generally make one confession prior to being received into the Church, typically a little closer to Easter. Your RCIA folks should be advising you on that as the time approaches.
 
Speak to the leader of your RCIA. Ask when your group will go the confession. They may want you to wait until it is further discussed in class, closer to Easter as Cor_ad_Cor suggested. You really need to work on their schedule and not your own.

However, if you already have made an appointment with a priest, you should let him know you are in RCIA before you begin. He may say it is fine to hear your confession now.
 
With all due respect I thought someone who is converting and is already baptized had the right to go to confession, regardless of whether it’s on the class’ schedule or not? That’s what I’ve been told at least.
 
There is a time when all Candidates in RCIA will go to confession, generally after some instruction as to what the sacrament of reconciliation is.

@jredden92 In this situation it is best to ask the director of RCIA when you may go to reconciliation. In all reality we don’t go to confession to “get things off our chest”, we go to confess our sins, say how sorry we are, and beg for absolution.
 
My daughter’s class has a date in March by which they are requested/expected to have gone to confession.
 
Last edited:
Ultimately the decision is the priest’s, but he’s likely going to be working with the coordinator anyways. After all, he needs to know where you are in the process.

Have you made your intention known yet? Most Catholics don’t realize the Anglicans hold all seven sacraments, and even if they do they may (correctly In my experience) assume it’s rarely used. They may be expecting to have to tell you how important reconciliation is. They may not know you already want to participate.
 
Last edited:
That would depend on a case by case basis. I myself was told it was a right by several priests.
 
You, yourself may have had the knowledge.

Many don’t.

Yes, they need to go before being Confirmed or receive Communion.

But without the knowledge of what they are doing, wouldn’t waiting until they have that knowledge be advised?
 
Agreed. That’s why I said it’s a case by case thing. I did mention above the unorthodox things the priest at the parish I was confirmed at believed. He didn’t recognize a difference between mortal and venial sin and when he gave his talk on the sacrament to the class, no one understood what his point was and he went into no specifics about how the sacrament is performed or what we were to do. So the instruction was lacking to put it lightly.
 
Last edited:
With all due respect I thought someone who is converting and is already baptized had the right to go to confession, regardless of whether it’s on the class’ schedule or not? That’s what I’ve been told at least.
I’m not so sure about “right” but there is a requirement for one confession before reception. Generally, Canon Law says sacraments are reserved to Catholics; there is an exception within for those entering the Church previously baptized, as everyone should be in a state of grace when receiving other sacraments.
 
It’s not only permitted, but obligatory. To receive Confirmation in a state of mortal sin is sacrilege. Besides which, you would ordinarily receive your First Communion at your Confirmation Mass.
 
Beyond the usual preparation to receive a sacrament, experiencing absolution and reconciliation is a reminder of one’s baptism. That is The normal process for initiation: forgiveness, enrichment, nourishing as experienced in Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top