Can confessions be done online?

[WesleyF]

Can confessions be done online? Would that be possible? Suppose a Catholic astronaut goes to Mars and has to stay there for years, how would he confess his sins if not online?

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Can confessions be done online? Would that be possible? Suppose a Catholic astronaut goes to Mars and has to stay there for years, how would he confess his sins if not online?

no. must be face to face. and the astronaut would be in the same position as people exploring years ago who had no available priest. they would make a good act of contrition and wait. on-line confessions are not permitted --or telephone or letter either.

 

[fish90]

The confession would not be very private either. Considering that Google keeps a bunch of information, the idea of online confession would not be very private.

 

[Lib_Christian]

There might be more confessions though.

 

[kristie_m]

There might be more confessions though.

mmmmm…I don’t think so. I’ve had my personal information stolen once too often to believe that there is any real safety or anonymity on the web. I much prefer my parish priest who I know I can trust!

 

[Lib_Christian]

mmmmm…I don’t think so. I’ve had my personal information stolen once too often to believe that there is any real safety or anonymity on the web. I much prefer my parish priest who I know I can trust!

I prefer God and as James taught to confess to one another. It’s perfectly fine if you want to confess to your parish priest. I just don’t know about blind trust however. Lots of folks trusted their priests too and look what happened to them.

 

[ChadS]

I prefer God and as James taught to confess to one another. It’s perfectly fine if you want to confess to your parish priest. I just don’t know about blind trust however. Lots of folks trusted their priests too and look what happened to them.

Are you implying that there have been priests that have broken the seal of confession? If you confess to one another, how often do you do it? Do they offer you absolution of your sins? Are you always 100% sure they won’t tell others about your failings or use it against you?

Or perhaps you made an oblique reference to the sex abuse scandals and are taking a cheap shot at priests in general.

ChadS

 

[fish90]

I prefer God and as James taught to confess to one another. It’s perfectly fine if you want to confess to your parish priest. I just don’t know about blind trust however. Lots of folks trusted their priests too and look what happened to them.

I cannot think of why confessing to one another would be beneficial. Please tell me where in scripture that sins are absolved when confessing to one another. I know that the apostles were given the authority. The Church only accepts the sacrament valid with a qualified priest.

Best,
fish90

 

[Lib_Christian]

Are you implying that there have been priests that have broken the seal of confession? If you confess to one another, how often do you do it? Do they offer you absolution of your sins? Are you always 100% sure they won’t tell others about your failings or use it against you?

Or perhaps you made an oblique reference to the sex abuse scandals and are taking a cheap shot at priests in general.

ChadS

Nope I personally have no idea whether a priest has broken the seal or not. I’m not taking a cheap shot though. It’s always a cheap shot with you guys. But if we couldn’t trust them in one area, how can we be certain we can in the other? The scandal hit the Church hard and it will take more than a few yrs for it to be overcome. Do you truly understand how many have had their faith shaken? By the hierarchy. But all I seem to ever hear is “Oh well. They’re human.” But we are supposed to blindly follow them in other areas. Sorry doesn’t work for me that way. If it does for you, fine.

Oh PS - as often as necessary and yeah they usually forgive me. Nope rarely 100% certain of anything.

 

[Lib_Christian]

I cannot think of why confessing to one another would be beneficial. Please tell me where in scripture that sins are absolved when confessing to one another. I know that the apostles were given the authority. The Church only accepts the sacrament valid with a qualified priest.

Best,
fish90

James 5:16 and yeah I know you probably believe that was only referring to Anointing. But I have absolutely no problem if someone wants to confess to a priest. None whatsoever. But it doesn’t concern me as much with what the institutional Church accepts. I accept and trust in the mercy of our Lord and God thru our Savior Christ the King. To only accept a valid sacrament with a qualified priest for absolution suggests God’s infinite mercy is not able to provide mercy to others. And I reject that notion.

 

[wmscott]

Lib Christian, I have read a few of your posts in several different threads, I get the impression that you have an elevated agitation towards Catholicism that seems almost hateful at times. If I am mistaken I apologize but it sure seems that way. Why the chip on your shoulder. Just curious as to your experience with Catholics. Peace.

 

[ChadS]

Nope I personally have no idea whether a priest has broken the seal or not. I’m not taking a cheap shot though. It’s always a cheap shot with you guys. But if we couldn’t trust them in one area, how can we be certain we can in the other? The scandal hit the Church hard and it will take more than a few yrs for it to be overcome. Do you truly understand how many have had their faith shaken? By the hierarchy. But all I seem to ever hear is “Oh well. They’re human.” But we are supposed to blindly follow them in other areas. Sorry doesn’t work for me that way. If it does for you, fine.

Oh PS - as often as necessary and yeah they usually forgive me. Nope rarely 100% certain of anything.

Well, it is a cheap shot when you impugn priests as a whole because of the actions of a few. It’s also a cheap shot when it’s brought up in the course of a question that has nothing to do with the abuse scandals. Nobody on here, least of all me, would argue that the sex abuse scandal was anything less than horrific. What those priests did was inexcusable and you are right many people did have their faith shaken. I’m sorry but I haven’t seen anybody here say we have to blindly follow priests wherever they go, that may have been an old attitude but not any more, unless of course that’s what you think Catholics are told to do, but then that would be more about your attitude then say what actually happens.

ChadS

 

[fish90]

James 5:16 and yeah I know you probably believe that was only referring to Anointing. But I have absolutely no problem if someone wants to confess to a priest. None whatsoever. But it doesn’t concern me as much with what the institutional Church accepts. I accept and trust in the mercy of our Lord and God thru our Savior Christ the King. To only accept a valid sacrament with a qualified priest for absolution suggests God’s infinite mercy is not able to provide mercy to others. And I reject that notion.

With all due respect, I am not in the place to authoritatively interpret Sacred Scripture. I still must question this choice of verse.

The verse reads:
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.”
usccb.org/nab/bible/james/james5.htm

Now, it is my understanding that the verse says nothing about the absolution of sins between persons. A better apologist can answer this. I find John 20: 21-23 to be a better verse detailing how sins are to be forgiven through the Sacrament Jesus instituted.

A better apologist can explain these other issues better than me.

Best,
fish90

 

[CatholicGuy22]

No, confessions must be done in person. Why ruin such a beautiful sacrament that JESUS left us by doing it by phone or email. If you were really serious about confessions you wouldn’t be doing it by phone and email.

 

[Lib_Christian]

Lib Christian, I have read a few of your posts in several different threads, I get the impression that you have an elevated agitation towards Catholicism that seems almost hateful at times. If I am mistaken I apologize but it sure seems that way. Why the chip on your shoulder. Just curious as to your experience with Catholics. Peace.

Hi wmscott, no need to apologize. Hate no. Far from it. Agitated is probably fair enough. I have a lot of experience. Family background. Baptized and confirmed. I have never yet worshiped in another church. People here think I need educated, don’t understand Church teaching or my conscience needs properly informed whatever that means. If it means accepting everything, I can’t in good conscience.

Catholics will say I and others like me are not Catholic even though their Church says we are. I can only guess they mean well. But their “putdowns” can have the opposite effect. If it’s a smaller church they want though, they may be on the right path. I feel less welcome in the Catholic Church in recent yrs.

The Church has taken a conservative turn. And in US politics I think it is too aligned with one issue and one party.

There are smaller things too in the scheme of things but nonetheless bug me. I know what the Church gives. But Christ lived such a simple life. I do think Catholics spend too much on adorning their churches, even more which could go for the poor, homeless, the hungry, the sick.

Another big thing is yes not only the priest sex abuse, and I know it was only a minority but the scandal of the hierarchy covering it up. I really don’t care to hear about apostolic succession. How we are supposed to listen to what they say not do what they do. Actions speak louder than words. Or how Judas betrayed, Peter denied, and we all are human. And how infallibilty deals with declaring faith and morals. Yes I know all of that. And yes I am a sinner and I can leave their souls in the hands of a merciful God. But I would never think of abusing someone let alone covering it up. I have better control of myself than that. So I’m supposed to believe when I miss Mass on some declared weekday holy day that I am committing mortal sin because these men say so? Sorry I can’t. If you or someone else can, that’s fine. I can’t have blind faith in any mortal religious leader. I simply can not believe Christ, knowing what they were going to do, would have placed them in leadership roles of his Church.

Finally to me faith is not so much thinking I have to be absolutely right on every dotted “i” and crossed 't". We begin with having to accept Scripture on faith. And if everything was so clear, everyone would believe the same. Protestants can make good arguments for their faith as well as Catholics. Not everyone believes the same. That’s why it’s called faith.

Hope this helps, Thanks for asking and listening. Peace my friend and God bless.

 

[Lib_Christian]

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.”
usccb.org/nab/bible/james/james5.htm

Now, it is my understanding that the verse says nothing about the absolution of sins

Best,
fish90

Fish, it may not be what the Church teaches but “that you may be healed”. Al the best to you as well.

 

[fish90]

Hi wmscott, no need to apologize. Hate no. Far from it. Agitated is probably fair enough. I have a lot of experience. Family background. Baptized and confirmed. I have never yet worshiped in another church. People here think I need educated, don’t understand Church teaching or my conscience needs properly informed whatever that means. If it means accepting everything, I can’t in good conscience.

Catholics will say I and others like me are not Catholic even though their Church says we are. I can only guess they mean well. But their “putdowns” can have the opposite effect. If it’s a smaller church they want though, they may be on the right path. I feel less welcome in the Catholic Church in recent yrs.

The Church has taken a conservative turn. And in US politics I think it is too aligned with one issue and one party.

There are smaller things too in the scheme of things but nonetheless bug me. I know what the Church gives. But Christ lived such a simple life. I do think Catholics spend too much on adorning their churches, even more which could go for the poor, homeless, the hungry, the sick.

Another big thing is yes not only the priest sex abuse, and I know it was only a minority but the scandal of the hierarchy covering it up. I really don’t care to hear about apostolic succession. How we are supposed to listen to what they say not do what they do. Actions speak louder than words. Or how Judas betrayed, Peter denied, and we all are human. And how infallibilty deals with declaring faith and morals. Yes I know all of that. And yes I am a sinner and I can leave their souls in the hands of a merciful God. But I would never think of abusing someone let alone covering it up. I have better control of myself than that. So I’m supposed to believe when I miss Mass on some declared weekday holy day that I am committing mortal sin because these men say so? Sorry I can’t. If you or someone else can, that’s fine. I can’t have blind faith in any mortal religious leader. I simply can not believe Christ, knowing what they were going to do, would have placed them in leadership roles of his Church.

Finally to me faith is not so much thinking I have to be absolutely right on every dotted “i” and crossed 't". We begin with having to accept Scripture on faith. And if everything was so clear, everyone would believe the same. Protestants can make good arguments for their faith as well as Catholics. Not everyone believes the same. That’s why it’s called faith.

Hope this helps, Thanks for asking and listening. Peace my friend and God bless.

With all due respect, I wanted to comment on what you mentioned in this post. Please remember the Church is orthodox; it is not liberal nor is it conservative. All of the Church’s teaching on faith and morals has been handed from Jesus. This is why all Catholics are commanded to accept Church teaching and not to understand it all (you know Mysteries and the like:thumbsup. Now, the teachings of Jesus were hard. Not everybody is immediately willing to accept Christ’s commands even though everybody is fully capable. If the Church’s attendance is decreased because the Church teaches contrary to what is politically correct, then the Church has more work to do. Only through Christ’s teachings is true happiness found and teaching or misleading to the contrary means a grave sin. There is no love with allowing sin.

I do not understand how the Church is being more conservative these days. Do you mean that Mass in the Extraordinary Form is more available? Now with regard to U.S. politics, I do not see the Church supporting “enhanced interrogation techniques” anytime soon.

I do not have a problem with wonderfully decorated Churches. Please remember Jesus is there and this is a place of worship. The money spent on Churches does not remotely equal the charity given to people throughout the world.

Good luck with your understanding of the Church. Please remember that the greatest converts recognized the truth of the Catholic Church which is made up of sinners.

Best,
fish90

 

[Michael_Francis]

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[Mark77]

There might be more confessions though.

Yes, true.

]Those of us who are cowards & liars would really love to confess on line, there is no humanity in it!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[ChadS]

Can confessions be done online? Would that be possible? Suppose a Catholic astronaut goes to Mars and has to stay there for years, how would he confess his sins if not online?

Perhaps, like the earliest explorers, they could take a priest along with them, that way they wouldn’t have to worry about online confessions.

Chads