Can a Mormon Go to Confession?

[Inquiringperson]

Just Wondering.

 

[The_Holy_War_11]

No. You have to be a baptised Catholic to go to confession.

 

[Gertabelle]

Just Wondering.

Well, there’s not someone checking each person’s ID as they enter the confessional, so there’s nothing to stop a Mormon (or a person of any other faith, or lack thereof) from entering the confessional and talking with the priest. But a Mormon could not receive the sacramental absolution that is available to Catholics.

Gertie

 

[1ke]

valid baptism is the gateway to all other sacraments. The LDS lack valid baptism. A Mormon wishing to become Catholic enters as a catechumen and receives valid baptism, which washes away all sin.

It is possible for a (validly) baptized non-Catholic to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation if they meet the requirements specified in canon law.

 

[domandcarols]

It is possible for a (validly) baptized non-Catholic to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation if they meet the requirements specified in canon law.

Really?? I never knew that.

 

[Gertabelle]

Really?? I never knew that.

Those Christians who were validly baptized before, and who entered into the Church at Easter Vigil made their first confessions in the days prior to their confirmation and first communion. It was essential for them to receive absolution of any mortal sins before they received communion, just as it is for all of us

Gertie

 

[Gorgias]

Really?? I never knew that.

In general, though, the requirements are pretty restrictive. It’s not like a non-Catholic Christian can just be walking down the street, see a Catholic parish and say, “I’m gonna go to confession” and it would be licit…

 

[thistle]

The expression “the faithful” means Catholics.

CHAPTER III : THE PENITENT

Can. 987 In order that the faithful may receive the saving remedy of the sacrament of penance, they must be so disposed that, repudiating the sins they have committed and having the purpose of amending their lives, they turn back to God.

Can. 988 §1 The faithful are bound to confess, in kind and in number, all grave sins committed after baptism, of which after careful examination of conscience they are aware, which have not yet been directly pardoned by the keys of the Church, and which have not been confessed in an individual confession.

§2 The faithful are recommended to confess also venial sins.

Can. 989 All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

Can. 990 No one is forbidden to confess through an interpreter, provided however that abuse and scandal are avoided, and without prejudice to the provision of can. 983 §2.

Can. 991 All Christ’s faithful are free to confess their sins to lawfully approved confessors of their own choice, even to one of another rite.

 

[Jegudiel]

It is possible for a (validly) baptized non-Catholic to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation if they meet the requirements specified in canon law.

There are extremely limited situations (ex. imminent death) where non-Catholic Christians can receive grace from going to confession.

 

[Clarissa63]

You have to be a baptised Catholic to go to confession. http://www.heritems.info/avatar4.jpg

 

[1ke]

The expression “the faithful” means Catholics.

Those are not the canons to which I refer.

Can.* 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

§4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.

§5. For the cases mentioned in §§2, 3, and 4, the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops is not to issue general norms except after consultation at least with the local competent authority of the interested non-Catholic Church or community.

 

[thistle]

Those are not the canons to which I refer.

Can.* 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

§4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.

§5. For the cases mentioned in §§2, 3, and 4, the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops is not to issue general norms except after consultation at least with the local competent authority of the interested non-Catholic Church or community.

First these are talking about extreme and rare circumstances and secondly it is about Christians only.
Mormons are not Christians.

 

[thistle]

Those are not the canons to which I refer.

Can.* 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

§4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.

§5. For the cases mentioned in §§2, 3, and 4, the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops is not to issue general norms except after consultation at least with the local competent authority of the interested non-Catholic Church or community.

First, these are talking about extreme and rare circumstances and secondly it is about Christians only.
Mormons are not Christians.

 

[Bookcat]

Mormons -if not previously baptized validly in a Christian community – do not have a valid baptism.

 

[1ke]

First these are talking about extreme and rare circumstances and secondly it is about Christians only.
Mormons are not Christians.

I am not sure why you are posting this to me. See my post #4.

 

[thistle]

I am not sure why you are posting this to me. See my post #4.

Its a response to your post #11 ref the other canons.
Maybe we’re at cross purposes here due to my misunderstanding.
Are we both agreed that the Sacrament of Penance could be administered to a non-Catholic Christian (but not to a non Christian) in extreme circumstances but that Mormons are not Christians. Therefore the answer to the thread title question is no.