Can I go to confession?

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I am not able to convert to Catholiscm until I’m 18 and in college. I am currently Protestant and I want to know can I go to confession and recieve absolution? I believe in the sacrament and I truly wish to recieve the sacrament of penance. I read this in the catechism “844:4 If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the national conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community, and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed.” I feel that my sins are grave and I truly believe in the power of the Sacrament of Penance. So can I recieve absolution?
 
catholic111 said:
I am not able to convert to Catholiscm until I’m 18 and in college. I am currently Protestant and I want to know can I go to confession and recieve absolution?
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This is not a question we can answer.

You must take up your situation personally with the local Catholic pastor, who can assess the situation and determine the appropriate steps.
 
catholic111 said:
I am not able to convert to Catholiscm until I’m 18 and in college. I am currently Protestant and I want to know can I go to confession and recieve absolution? I believe in the sacrament and I truly wish to recieve the sacrament of penance. I read this in the catechism “844:4 If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the national conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community, and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed.” I feel that my sins are grave and I truly believe in the power of the Sacrament of Penance. So can I recieve absolution?
Click to expand...
You can use this resource to find out what diocese you’re in so you can find a local parish nearby you.
usccb.org/about/bishops-and-dioceses/diocesan-locator.cfm
 
catholic111 said:
I am not able to convert to Catholiscm until I’m 18 and in college. I am currently Protestant and I want to know can I go to confession and recieve absolution? I believe in the sacrament and I truly wish to recieve the sacrament of penance. I read this in the catechism “844:4 If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the national conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community, and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed.” I feel that my sins are grave and I truly believe in the power of the Sacrament of Penance. So can I recieve absolution?
Click to expand...
I came from a Methodist background and am currently in the process of converting. I’m really not sure if by being in RCIA and a member of the Parish if I am really considered a Catholic or not yet. I think of myself that way now but I’m not sure. Being Catholic “officially” may only happen once I’m confirmed. So if that’s the case then my experience may be of help.

At any rate, I’m still in RCIA and like you I was wanting to go to confession. If anyone needed confession it was yours truly. I wanted to go to confession (I’m guessing not too many people say that!).

I was at an event at my Parish one evening last March and part of that event was Father doing confessions for the people attending. I went to one of my Deacons who was there and explained that I really wanted to go to confession, that I hadn’t been yet and how much I felt I needed it. Right about then Father was coming out of the confessional (thinking he was done I’m sure) and Deacon called him over and explained to Father what I had just told the Deacon. Father said he had talked to some people at Church (maybe my RCIA team or the DRE or both) about getting me into confession and that they were going to make an appointment for me to go over the sacrament but at that moment I think he saw the look on my face, :bighanky: took pity on me and said,are you ready? :sad_yes: I said yes and he said ok, come on in. :blessyou:

He stepped me through the process very patiently and I now go to confession about once a month. It’s a wonderful sacrament. Yes, it’s a little nerve racking beforehand but then maybe it should be, but it’s a wonderful relief afterward. But I’d talk to your local Parish Priest and see what they can do for you. I am SO thankful Father let me start the sacrament of reconciliation!
 
1ke said:
This is not a question we can answer.

You must take up your situation personally with the local Catholic pastor, who can assess the situation and determine the appropriate steps.
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Bingo. This is best handled by the pastor, especially with minors.

Know this, if the pastor tells you that you need to wait until you enter RCIA or when you turn 18, or any other reason, you should obey. You can ask him to explain the decision thoroughly. If he does tell you to wait, just be patient and obey the Church and the pastor on this matter. God will see your obedience to the Church. He will appreciate and love your obedience to His Bride, whom He gave authority to forgive sins.

If something tragic were to happen, similar to the baptism of desire, God would know your heart and wish for Confession, and would forgive your sins.

Listen to your pastor and be a peace.
 
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