Can I be kicked out of RCIA?

[3DOCTORS]

You’ve gotten great advice, and what people have been talking about that the priest can’t use anything you confess outside of the confessional in any way - that’s called the Seal of the Confessional and it is absolute. No exceptions.

If it helps, I’ve heard priests say that what they hear in the confessional leaves their minds the moment you leave the confessional anyway - a grace from God, I suppose, to help keep them from being burdened by what they hear in the confessional and help avoid temptation to break the Seal. I can’t swear for your priest, obviously, but it sounds like this may be common.

Our pastor just mentioned this a Sunday or two ago in a homily about the Sacrament of Confession! And he has only been ordained a little over 3 years. A priest who has heard years’ and years’ worth of Confessions would probably be even less likely to be shocked or to remember them. Awkwardness happens, still - but the graces make it worth it.

I think this will all become much clearer to you too, as you continue to study about the Sacraments. My prayers are with you on your journey!

 

[GEddie]

Priests have truly “seen it all.” They do not just do weekend parish confessions and RCIA, they go to the hospitals and prisons and see human beings in various states of “wreckage.” You can’t shock him.

Do not be afraid, as someone else has stated, the worst that can happen is you would be denied forgiveness (in which case you’d be where you are now). Even then, the substance of a confession can never be used against you. In other times, priests have literally lost their heads preserving the seal of confession.

Bite the bullet and do it, as also was said, it counts toward your penance.

God Bless and ICXC NIKA.

 

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by Bbigam
You’ve gotten great advice, and what people have been talking about that the priest can’t use anything you confess outside of the confessional in any way - that’s called the Seal of the Confessional and it is absolute. No exceptions.

Just to carry this thought a bit further, Most priests will here confessions from multiple people at a session. They will likely hear the same or similar sins from multiple persons during a given session and some might be face to face while others behind a screen.
To walk out of the confessional and know what he heard from each specific person would be nearly impossible. In other words, even if he remembers hearing htis or that sin, to say which specific sins belong to which specific penitant would be nearly impossible.

peace
James

 

[GEddie]

Hmm. Well then I guess I can only hope he would for the victim’s family’s sake. And so as not to risk the perpetuation of another crime upon another victim until the criminal has paid his due to society.

It would be unrealistic to expect a person to give himself up to execution for the sake of a family’s feelings. And while “debts to the society” must be paid, not all crimes are of the kind that would be repeated (i.e. in the heat of passion).

ICXC NIKA

 

[CMatt25]

It would be unrealistic to expect a person to give himself up to execution for the sake of a family’s feelings. And while “debts to the society” must be paid, not all crimes are of the kind that would be repeated (i.e. in the heat of passion).

ICXC NIKA

I guess. Though I oppose state executions myself. But since the priest couldn’t/wouldn’t report a crime to civil authorities and we’re not certain what the priest would counsel, I guess we’re left with evidence going undisclosed or covered up so to speak and the debt to society possibly not being paid.

 

[graceandglory]

My RCIA class has taken precedence in my life because of the hunger I have to be fully with Christ, but I am terrified of my first confession. I know that to receive the Eucharist and be in a state of grace I cannot hold back my sins, but is it possible for the Father to refuse my entry into the Church because he is horrified by what I confess? Some of the things I have to confess are far worse than the mortal sins of most. They weigh heavy on my soul, which is filled with deep regret and sadness at the things I’ve done.

Just a thought: Have you made restitution to those whom you have offended? [BIBLEDRB]Romans 15:13[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[GEddie]

I guess. Though I oppose state executions myself. But since the priest couldn’t/wouldn’t report a crime to civil authorities and we’re not certain what the priest would counsel, I guess we’re left with evidence going undisclosed or covered up so to speak and the debt to society possibly not being paid.

Execution is a reality in this country (USA). The USA also protects the confidentiality of religious confession. It does not consider sealed confession to be a covering up of crime.

At least in the past, its leaders understood that the primacy of citizens’ relationship to GOD (as they knew HIM) was a safeguard to the state. Even if, in some rare instances, crimes remained unsolved.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Theophorus]

Some of the things I have to confess are far worse than the mortal sins of most. They weigh heavy on my soul, which is filled with deep regret and sadness at the things I’ve done.

The Catholic Church is not a church of the perfect or the pure, but a hospital for the sick
so its very hard to shock a priest in the confessional but give it a go with a full and honest confession. If your sorrow is sincere (which yours obviously is) then you will be fine.

God Bless

 

[converting2024]

Thank you all for the kind words and support. I do feel better about confessing, even though my feelings towards what I’ve done have not changed. I am about 3 months away from first confession and every minute until then my sins will continue to weigh me down.

You don’t know, and couldn’t possibly have any way of knowing, what ‘the mortal sins of most’ consist of. You’re not a priest, you don’t have people confessing their worst sins to you on a regular basis. So you can’t possibly have any accurate basis upon which to judge.

Sometimes the desire to consider ourselves special or unique, even in the area of sin, is a form of twisted pride … ‘oh look at me, my sins are so much worse than everyone else’s, they’re so bad that I might get kicked out of RCIA - aren’t I fascinating and interesting after telling you all that?’ I’m not saying that I’m sure that’s how you’re thinking - it might not be. But that sort of pride is a danger as well.

There’s a great story one CAF poster told a while back about making her first confession - all the deepest darkest sins that she felt too ashamed to confess and was convinced were so very awful - and the priest just looking at her at the end and saying ‘Is that all?’

Priests really do hear teh gamut of sin, and they’re a lot harder to shock than you’d think, in my experience.

In any event, there’s no good to be gained without risk and without effort. So to gain forgiveness and eternal life we must make ourselves vulnerable, and go through the stress and strain of laying our souls bare to God through the agency of the priest.

God bless, offer up your anxieties as a headstart on your penance.

Please be assured that I have no pride about my sins. I was truly afraid he would kick me out. I know that I have no way of knowing what others confess and yes, I’m sure it is not going to be the worst he’s ever heard. It is a legitimate fear I have because of the evil I have done. Before my conversion I glorified satan and felt the darkness of hell in my heart. Like St. Paul, I blasphemed and persecuted those who loved Christ. Unlike him, I had no love of God, I didn’t even believe He existed. I did what I did out of pure malice towards those who believed in Christ. That is not even what I am worried about because I have already spoken to the Father face to face about that. As I turn more towards the light of Christ there is a great struggle within myself and I feel the evil trying to take hold. Please pray to our Blessed Mother for me, because I am very weak.

 

[JRKH]

Thank you all for the kind words and support. I do feel better about confessing, even though my feelings towards what I’ve done have not changed. I am about 3 months away from first confession and every minute until then my sins will continue to weigh me down.

Please be assured that I have no pride about my sins. I was truly afraid he would kick me out. I know that I have no way of knowing what others confess and yes, I’m sure it is not going to be the worst he’s ever heard. It is a legitimate fear I have because of the evil I have done. Before my conversion I glorified satan and felt the darkness of hell in my heart. Like St. Paul, I blasphemed and persecuted those who loved Christ. Unlike him, I had no love of God, I didn’t even believe He existed. I did what I did out of pure malice towards those who believed in Christ. That is not even what I am worried about because I have already spoken to the Father face to face about that. As I turn more towards the light of Christ there is a great struggle within myself and I feel the evil trying to take hold. Please pray to our Blessed Mother for me, because I am very weak.

Thank you for sharing this. Indeed you are prayed for.
Know too that many/most great saints have gone through precisely what you are going through, including some who were horrible blasphemers before their conversions.

Peace
James

 

[Anselm33]

I guess. Though I oppose state executions myself. But since the priest couldn’t/wouldn’t report a crime to civil authorities and we’re not certain what the priest would counsel, I guess we’re left with evidence going undisclosed or covered up so to speak and the debt to society possibly not being paid.

As I understand it, absolution is contingent upon repentance and atonement. Again, as I understand it, a priest would require that a murderer confess to authorities as a penance and repentance, and that absolution would be contingent upon that act of penance and repentance. When a priest tells us to say “three Our Fathers and three Hail Mary’s” for atonement, that is not the only form that might be required for atonement. So if a murderer did not confess to authorities, that is did not do penance, then he/she would not be absolved, but still be guilty of sin.

anselm

 

[MarkThompson]

As I understand it, absolution is contingent upon repentance and atonement. Again, as I understand it, a priest would require that a murderer confess to authorities as a penance and repentance, and that absolution would be contingent upon that act of penance and repentance. When a priest tells us to say “three Our Fathers and three Hail Mary’s” for atonement, that is not the only form that might be required for atonement. So if a murderer did not confess to authorities, that is did not do penance, then he/she would not be absolved, but still be guilty of sin.

anselm

This is a common misunderstanding. Actually, the absolution of sins is not dependent on doing penance. It depends on contrition and the absolution given by the priest, and it happens when the priest says “I absolve you,” not hours or days later when you get around to fulfilling your penance. If you went in planning not do do your penance that might be evidence of a lack of contrition, and if afterwards you decide to blow it off, that might be a sin of omission, but otherwise it does not require doing penance to be absolved of sin.

 

[beth40n2]

The simple answer to “Can I be kicked out of RCIA?” would be yes if you are there in the class only to joke around or are making fun of the priest you could be kicked out. It sounds like this is not he case. It sounds like you are repentant and are truely wanting to become a Catholic.

 

[stormy99]

My RCIA class has taken precedence in my life because of the hunger I have to be fully with Christ, but I am terrified of my first confession. I know that to receive the Eucharist and be in a state of grace I cannot hold back my sins, but is it possible for the Father to refuse my entry into the Church because he is horrified by what I confess? Some of the things I have to confess are far worse than the mortal sins of most. They weigh heavy on my soul, which is filled with deep regret and sadness at the things I’ve done.

**No…you haven’t done anything they haven’t heard before unless of course it’s a brand new priest…they will not judge you…

That’s why there is confession to say them aloud…receive absolution and due whatever pennance the priest gives you.

And when you are done…you will feel as light as air…they will not weight on your soul any longer…you are forgiven…

You will not be kicked out of anything.

stormy**

 

[Anselm33]

This is a common misunderstanding. Actually, the absolution of sins is not dependent on doing penance. It depends on contrition and the absolution given by the priest, and it happens when the priest says “I absolve you,” not hours or days later when you get around to fulfilling your penance. If you went in planning not do do your penance that might be evidence of a lack of contrition, and if afterwards you decide to blow it off, that might be a sin of omission, but otherwise it does not require doing penance to be absolved of sin.

are you not committing even a greater sin by not doing the required penance? That is to say, by not showing true contrition? And I find it difficult to credit that any priest would hear a confession of murder and not require the killer to go to the authorities (not considering in this self-defense/war/accident).
That is my understanding.
anselm.

 

[MarkThompson]

are you not committing even a greater sin by not doing the required penance? That is to say, by not showing true contrition?

Maybe, depending on your intent. The fact is, if you go to confession and the priest gives you absolution and assigns a penance, then you are immediately killed by a heart attack before you have the chance to perform it, you have been absolved. The absolution of sins does not depend on performing penance. As I say, if you went into confession planning not to do your penance, it might well be a sign of a lack of contrition, but that’s a different issue.

And I find it difficult to credit that any priest would hear a confession of murder and not require the killer to go to the authorities (not considering in this self-defense/war/accident).
That is my understanding.
anselm.

My understanding is that this is a Hollywood myth, and just as a priest cannot go tell the police that you committed a murder, he cannot accomplish the same effect by ordering you to go and confess to the murder. He cannot do anything that would cause a fact learned within the seal of the confessional to be revealed, including making you reveal it.

 

[Dymphna82]

This is just my way of thinking. These sins that we do, even without faith in God, can do so much damage to our lives. I think that a priest while possibly shocked at what has been said, as a true Christian, would be thankful to be the person you come to, to clean your slate of these sins and begin a new life, full of God’s graces.

My first day back at church was on the birthday of a priest. He said it was his birthday gift.

Being priest isn’t like being Maury Povich. Priests don’t judge, or profit, or exploit our sins. If they can save one more soul, then it’s a good day for them.

 

[Aramis]

There are in fact instances where absolution is withheld until approval from Rome is given to do so, but it is rare. Nevertheless, that in itself is no reason not to confess a sin no matter how appalling it may seem.

Again, the fear of God’s justice and the resulting eternal fire is/should be the concern.

Those are spelled out in canon law fairly clearly.

Excommunications or other punishments whose lifting is Reserved to the Apostolic See (The Pope or his designee) (CIC Canon #):* Retaining the Eucharist for Sacreligious purposes (1367)

• Throwing away the Eucharist (1367)
• Attacking the Pope (1370 §1)
• A priest who absolves one with whom they have comitted adultery (977 & 1378 §1)
• A bishop who consecrates another bishop without Rome’s approval (1382)
• A person ordained a bishop without Rome’s approval (1382)
• A priest who violates the confessional seal (1388)

Only the first three can be committed by non-clerics…

Only one sin is noted as having a requirement for admission of the sin outside the confessional: Can. 982 Whoever confesses to have denounced falsely an innocent confessor to ecclesiastical authority concerning the crime of solicitation to sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue is not to be absolved unless the person has first formally retracted the false denunciation and is prepared to repair damages if there are any.

 

[hoop0826]

I guess I can say that no matter how shocking and incredible the sin that is confessed, it can not be compared to how shocking and incredible is the mercy and forgiveness that is bestowed by its absolution.

 

[Petergee]

Those are spelled out in canon law fairly clearly.

Excommunications or other punishments whose lifting is Reserved to the Apostolic See (The Pope or his designee) (CIC Canon #):* Retaining the Eucharist for Sacreligious purposes (1367)

• Throwing away the Eucharist (1367)
• Attacking the Pope (1370 §1)
• A priest who absolves one with whom they have comitted adultery (977 & 1378 §1)
• A bishop who consecrates another bishop without Rome’s approval (1382)
• A person ordained a bishop without Rome’s approval (1382)
• A priest who violates the confessional seal (1388)

Only the first three can be committed by non-clerics…

Also even in these cases it is really a formality, and the priest who hears the confession does not reveal the name of the sinner or the circumstances of the sin to the pope or his delegate; only the general type of sin. If the sinner wishes (as is always his right) to remain completely anonymous, even to the priest who heard his confession, the priest and he will need to arrange a way for the priest to tell him that the referred absolution has been approved. Say, he comes to confession again to the same priest on the first Saturday of the next month and tells him “I’m the one who confessed that sin that you had to refer for absolution”.
I don’t know of any case where a referred absolution has been withheld.