Can a non-Catholic attend Confession and receive absolution?

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If the strictures of Canon 844 are met, it certainly appears that the answer would be yes.

In defined circumstances.
 
I’ve heard some non-Catholics in 12-step programs go to priests to complete one of their steps, because they are sometimes assured of anonymity and they’re assured of confidentiality.
 
Confession isn’t really an issue. Any person can ask a priest to hear their sins and pray with them. It would be around absolution that things get stickier. Except as outlined in can. 844 a Catholic priest cannot (and should not) offer sacramental absolution to a non-Catholic or someone about to enter the Church as a candidate for full communion. By this I mean he should not make the sign of the cross and absolve the penitent in the name of the Trinity. Part of contrition is about amending our lives to return to full communion with Christ through His Church.
 
A friend of mine who is Coptic Orthodox came to confession with me once, he told my pastor that he was not Catholic and how long it had been since his last confession. He had just came home from prison and was very involved with the Catholic liturgical services that were offered there and was even a lector.
 
HungerNThirst4R said:
A friend of mine who is Coptic Orthodox came to confession with me once, he told my pastor that he was not Catholic and how long it had been since his last confession. He had just came home from prison and was very involved with the Catholic liturgical services that were offered there and was even a lector.
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So with Orthodox faiths, it is a little different. We assert that all their sacraments are valid and can legitimately seek the sacraments in a Catholic parish, especially if an Orthodox parish is not close by.
 
jmcrae said:
Under certain circumstances, yes.

Why would a non-Catholic want to go to Confession to a Catholic priest? Wouldn’t that go against their professed beliefs? :confused:
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Depends on the communion. As a Lutheran, I simply go to my Lutheran pastor/confessor. But I recognize a Catholic priest’s ability to grant absolution.

Jon
 
Yes. John paul II changed the canon. Permitted if a protestant is so disposed.
 
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